The rain did not stop the Patriots from prevailing in their soccer match on Thursday, Sept. 24 against Chowan University. In the end, the Patriots defended Hartzler field from the Chowan University Hawks who, prior to the match, had only surrendered two goals of this season.

Spectators watched the game despite the rain and supported the Patriots. The Patriots hosted Florence Soccer Association night during the game.

The game was stopped multiple times so the official could calm down players on both teams.

The physicality of the Hawks’ defense backfired, however, when a hard foul in the ninth minute lead to a FMU free kick. Senior Sven Ricke set the ball on the right side about 30 yards out from the goal before kicking it into the box. Senior defender David Sheridan was the one on the receiving end and used his head to drive the ball right past the keeper and into the back of the net to  give the Patriots a 1-0 lead.

A few minutes later, the Patriots were on the attack again, working the ball around Chowan defenders. The drive warranted six FMU shots from six different players, none of whom made it to the goal. The Hawks continued to deflect the Patriots’ shots.

In the 30th minute Ricke got through a ball from freshman Anton Jonsson.

Ricke took one too many touches allowing Hawks goalkeeper Marco Lujan the opportunity to fly off his line and use the wet grass to his advantage sliding fast and hard to scoop the ball right off Ricke’s foot.

With only two minutes remaining in the half, sophomore forward Max- Jenks Gilbert received his final warning and a yellow card from the referee. The Patriots went into the break leading 1-0.