Box Score FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team acquired its fourth positive result in its last five outings in a 1-1 tie with Francis Marion in Peach Belt Conference action on Wednesday afternoon at the FMU Soccer Field.
Francis Marion arrived on the scoreboard early in the match when Alex Blandin scored his fifth goal of the year in the 11th-minute. Blandin was assisted on the goal by Chuy Cruz.
The score would remain 1-0 in favor of Francis Marion until the 80th-minute when USC Aiken's Edmund Eastick netted his first goal of the season. Eastick was assisted on the equalizer by Scott Newby (Leicestershire, United Kingdom/Wreake Valley).
The goal by Eastick (Dorset, England/Kingston Maurward) would eventually send the game into overtime as neither team was able to score in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
The two teams combined to take five shots in the two overtime periods, but in the end neither team would be able to secure the go-ahead goal in the double overtime tie.
Reigning South Carolina Education Lottery USC Aiken Athletic Department Student-Athlete of the Week Robert Bolender continued his strong play between the pipes in the tie with Francis Marion. Bolender (Kennesaw, Ga./Reinhardt) saved six shots in the match to preserve the important Peach Belt Conference tie.
Francis Marion (2-9-1, 0-3-1 PBC) owned a slight 13-10 shot advantage in the match. The two teams were even at 4-4 in corner kick opportunities.
USC Aiken (3-6-3, 1-2-2 PBC) will next close the week with a home match against Flagler at the "Pacer Pit" on Saturday, Oct. 15. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
