FLORENCE, S.C. - Despite two second half goals, Anderson University men's soccer was unable to hang on to its one-goal lead, falling to regionally-ranked Francis Marion in double-overtime, 3-2, in nonconference action Wednesday evening at the Murray G. Hartzler Soccer Field.
With the setback, the Trojans snap a brief two-match winning streak and move to an even 8-8 overall record with their regular season finale set for Saturday. The Patriots, who entered the midweek contest ranked No. 7 in the Southeast Region in the latest NCAA regional rankings released prior to the start of the match, jump to 10-3-2 on the season as they also close their regular season on Sunday with a meeting against Lander.
Despite being on the opposite side on the scoreboard, Anderson out-shot its counterparts, 9-6 for the match, as freshman Magnus Larsen paced the squad with four shots with two coming on goal. Senior Martin Brain and sophomore Aaron Roberson followed the freshman with two shots apiece, while sophomore Andres Lozano rounded out the shot category with one.
After a scoreless opening half, Francis Marion struck first with a 59th minute goal from Jayden Doyle who scored his second goal of the season. Doyle received a pass from Tom Gillette and scored from 10 yards away.
Facing the deficit, AU responded quickly in the 64th minute when Larsen fired a shot from 30 yards out and hit a FMU defender. With the bounce off the Patriot, the ball crossed the goal-line for Anderson's first goal of the contest. For Larsen, the goal put him ahead of junior Andre Carle for the team-lead in goals with seven on the year.
The Trojans took their first lead of the match in the 70th minute when Roberson crossed a pass from the near side and found an open Lozano. From there, Lozano's quick shot beat FMU goalkeeper Mike Warn as the sophomore tallied his second goal of the year.
Despite grabbing the late, second half lead, the Patriots responded in the 83rd minute of play when Sven Ricke stole an AU pass and made a run down the left side of the field. When Ricke moved closer to the Trojan box, he fired a shot past Anderson goalkeeper Bo Haug for FMU's equalizer which would eventually send the contest into overtime. The overtime match would mark AU's fourth contest that would need extra time this season
As both teams went without a shot in the first overtime period, the home side scored their golden goal in the 104th minute of play when the Patriots were awarded a corner kick. Ricke crossed the ball into the box and found the head of Sheridan who beat Haug from five yards out. The game-winner is Sheridan's third goal of the year. With the golden goal, the Trojans move to 1-3 in overtime matches this season.
With a combined 15 shots for the evening, both goalkeepers managed just one save between them, as Warn's 44th minute save against a Larsen shot would be the match's only stop by a goalkeeper.
The Trojans jump back into South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday when it visits Carson-Newman. With a victory, Anderson would secure a home match in next week's SAC Tournament. Kickoff from Jefferson City, Tenn. is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
