Clinton uses noggin for 1-0 Patriot win

MISENHEIMER, NC - Senior Kyle Clinton made the most of his 6-4 frame as he headed in a corner kick in the 80th minute to give 18th-ranked Francis Marion University a 1-0 non-conference road win over Pfeiffer University, Sunday afternoon (Sept. 6) in men's soccer action at N.E. Lefko Field.

Francis Marion improves to 3-1, while the Falcons drop to 2-2. 

In a scoreless first half, both teams had opportunities to find the back of the net. The Falcons had the most chances in the opening period as Alex Landim and Johannes Tisell each sent shots to the net within five seconds of one another only to have both knocked down by Patriot goalkeeper Clark Richeson.

Francis Marion's best scoring chances came late in the period with Adrian Sikorski firing wide left and Chris Foltanski blasting a shot wide right.

In the second half, Richeson would turn away another quality opportunity for the Falcons on a shot by Renato Barbosa in the 73rd minute to keep the match scoreless.  Sikorski would send another shot on goal in the 77th minute only to have it rejected by Falcon keeper Alex Moreno.

From the right-side of the field on a corner kick, Sikorski would pick up the assist as Clinton connected on his header for his fourth goal of the season.  It was also his 26th career score and his seventh career match-winning goal.

Pfeiffer outshot Francis Marion 14-10 and held a slight 8-7 advantage in corner kick, but Richeson was able to keep the Falcons from netting a goal.  He finished with a season-high equaling nine saves, including two in the final 9:17 to preserve his eighth career shutout.  Moreno registered four stops.

The Patriots will play at Mars Hill College on Friday night at 7 p.m.

#18 Francis Marion Univ. vs Pfeiffer (Sep 06, 2009 at Misenheimer, NC)

Francis Marion Univ. (3-1) def. Pfeiffer (2-2) 1-0

Date: Sep 06, 2009  Attendance: 132

Weather: Clear/Sunny - 83F

Goals by period        1  2  Tot

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

Francis Marion Univ.  0  1 -  1

Pfeiffer............          0  0 -  0

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  79:05 FMU Clinton, Kyle (4) (Sikorski, Adrian) - Header to left post

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 10, Pfeiffer 14 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 9 (Richeson, Clark 9), Pfeiffer 4 (Alex Moreno 4)