FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore forward Levin Sandmann scored a pair of second-half goals, including the match-winner with 18:12 remaining, as Francis Marion University claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over local-rival UNC Pembroke, Tuesday evening (Oct. 13) in Peach Belt Conference men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion improves to 8-3-1 overall and 3-2-0 in the PBC, while securing sole possession of fourth place.  UNCP drops to 4-5-1 and 1-3-1.  FMU will travel to Morrow, Ga., to face Clayton State University on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.  The next home match for the Patriots will be the Senior Night contest against USC Aiken on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

The first half was scoreless with each squad recording six shots, although only one of the Braves’ attempts was on goal.

A failed clearance allowed Sandmann to put the Patriots on top 1-0 only 22 seconds into the second stanza. Sophomore Gael Mabiala assisted on the score. 

UNCP knotted the score at 1-1 when Josh Phelps converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute.  The spot kick came after a Francis Marion foul in the box. Less than a minute later, Phelps nearly put UNCP ahead, but his attempt glanced off the crossbar.

Sandmann and sophomore Thomas Kues then combined for the eventual winning tally at the 71:48 mark.  After taking the ball across, Sandmann cut a shot back to the far post for his team-leading sixth score of the year.

The FMU defense did not allow UNCP a shot over the final 20 minutes.

FMU freshman goalkeeper Jonathan Mannes registered seven saves, while Braves’ keeper Kenneth Perkinson made four stops.  Both teams finished with 13 shots, while UNCP held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

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