ROCK HILL, SC – Krystyna Freda scored a goal in each half to lead the Winthrop women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Francis Marion Friday evening at Eagle Field.
 
Winthrop improves its record to 3-4 overall with the victory, while the Patriots fall to 4-3-1 overall on the year.
 
“I felt we played very well defensively” said head coach Spencer Smith.  “Francis Marion has good attacking players and we did well against them.  Offensively, we took advantage of our opportunities.  We are attacking better as a unit which is leading to more scoring chances.”
 
Defensively, the Lady Eagles earned their second straight shutout, while only allowing Francis Marion to attempt seven shots in the game.  In attack, Winthrop took 21 shots on the evening creating two goals and forcing Patriot goalkeeper Taylor O'Berry to make eight saves on the night.
 
In the first half the Lady Eagles got on the board in the 6^th minute.  Grace Radler picked up her teaming leading third assist of the season on a through ball to Freda.  Freda found herself in behind the defense and one on one with O'Berry who charged out on the play.  With her first touch, Freda chipped the ball over the top of O'Berry from the edge of the 18 yard-box.
 
Francis Marion's best attempt of the first half came from Yasmin Butler.  Her shot in the 33^rd minute from 25 yards out was well struck forcing Winthrop goalkeeper Ameila Hnderson to make a diving save moving to her right.
 
Winthrop had an 11-3 advantage in shots at halftime.  Freda and Allie VandeWater each had two shots in the first half.  Henderson made two first half saves, while her counterpart Taylor O'Berry made five saves in the half.  Butler led the Patriots with two shots.
 
In the second half Winthrop continued its aggressive play attempting ten shots in the half.  However, Henderson was called into action in the 60^th minute.  Sandy Odembo took one of Francis Marion's seven second half corner kicks, on the play the ball fell to Elizabeth Asare's at the edge of the 6 yard-box.  In a crowd of players Asare attempted a shot on goal forcing a save from Henderson to preserve the lead for the Lady Eagles.
 
Winthrop added its second goal in the 71^st minute.  Freda lined up over a free kick from 23 yards out, while O'Berry was still trying to get her defense and wall set, Freda took the free kick quick catching the Patriots off guard. 
 
Freda led all players with four shots on the evening and two shots on goal.  Butler and Brittany Smith each had two shots for Francis Marion.  The Lady Eagles finished the game with a 21-7 advantage in shots.  Henderson finished the game with three saves in net for Winthrop while earning her second consecutive shutout.
 
Winthrop will be back in action on Thursday, September 20 at 7 p.m. when it opens up its conference schedule against Coastal Carolina at Eagle Field.