Rivas leads Francis Marion to 2-1 OT win at USCA

AIKEN, SC - Sophomore forward Juan Rivas scored a pair of goals, the second one in overtime, to lift Francis Marion University to a key 2-1 Peach Belt Conference win over USC Aiken, Wednesday night (Oct. 22) in men's soccer action.

Francis Marion extends its unbeaten streak to nine matches (7 wins, 2 ties), improves to 8-4-3 overall and 3-0-1 in the PBC, and stays in the hunt for the conference regular-season crown.

Rivas forced the overtime period when he scored an unassisted goal with only 1:07 left in regulation to knot the score at 1-1. His shot went over USCA goalkeeper Milad Zareian, who was coming out to challenge Rivas.

The Clearwater, Fla., native scored the match winner, also unassisted, 8:41 into the first extra session. Rivas now has six goals this season and 15 in his young career.

Kofi Akyere had given USCA (4-9-0, 1-4-0) a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when he scored off a corner kick by Alex Lewis.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Clark Richeson had to make only one save as only two of the Pacers' 10 shots were on-goal. FMU also took 10 shots, but seven were on-goal.

Zareian registered five saves during regulation, while Andray Charles played the overtime period and allowed the deciding goal.

FMU led in corner kicks 2-1.

Francis Marion travels to North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, Ga., for another PBC match, Saturday at 3 p.m.

Francis Marion Univ. (8-4-3, 3-0-1) vs. USC Aiken (4-9, 1-4)

Date: Oct 22, 2008 in Aiken, SC ; Attendance: 75

Weather: chilly

Goals by period 1 2 OT Tot

-----------------------------------------

Francis Marion Univ. 0 1 1 - 2

USC Aiken........... 1 0 0 - 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

0-1. 24:05 USCA Akyere, Kofi (Lewis, Alex) - off corner kick

1-1. 88:53 FMU Rivas, Juan (unassisted) - over goalie coming out of box

2-1. 98:41 FMU Rivas, Juan (unassisted)

Shots: Francis Marion 10, USC Aiken 10 ; Saves: Francis Marion 1 (Richeson, Clark 1), USC Aiken 5 (Zareian, Milad 5 ; Charles, Andray)