Patriots fly past Falcons for PBC win
Photo by: Caleb Reeves
FMU midfielder Matthew Brainbridge handles the ball around Montevallo’s Liam Moore.
Sophomore Levin Sandman scored his third goal of the season to propel the FMU Patriots past previously unbeaten Montevallo University Falcons.
“It was the best 90 minutes that we’ve played all season,” John Campbell, head coach, said.
It was the first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) game for both teams. Montevallo falls to 4-1 overall, and the Patriots are now 2-3-1.
The game was scoreless until the 80th minute when Sandman received a through ball from defenseman lee Northfield. Sandman took a touch around a sliding goalkeeper and buried the ball in the back of the net from 15 yards out on the left side of the box. This was Sandman’s third goal of the season.
“I was waiting the whole game for that moment,” Sandman said. “It was a touch game on a hot day, but we did it. We’ve had plenty of ups and downs so far this season, but we came together and played for each other.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Johnathan Mannes kept a clean sheet, recording five saves, one of which came late in the 85th minute to solidify the victory and hold off the last of the Falcon aggression.
Montevallo goalkeeper Robert Kuta had four saves, one of which came right before the half where Kuta dove to stop a shot from Sandman.
The Patriots look to build on the conference win against defending Division II champions Pfieffer University. They will be home again at Hartzler field on Saturday, Sept. 24 against PBC opponent North Georgia as part of a doubleheader with the lady Patriots.