BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – No. 3 Lees-McRae women's soccer fell to No. 2 Francis Marion in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship Semifinals this evening at the Truist Soccer Complex.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: No. 2 Francis Marion – 2, No. 3 Lees-McRae – 0
LOCATION: Truist Soccer Complex -- Browns Summit, North Carolina
RECORDS: Francis Marion (14-4-1/10-2-1); Lees-McRae (10-3-5/8-1-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Kylie Gutierrez had an early shot on goal in the ninth minute, but Francis Marion's goalkeeper Ryleigh Ackermann made the save.
- Laura Walker had back-to-back stops in the 33rd minute with saves off shots from Georgia-Allen Aaron and Nalani Hunt. FMU got on the board in the 35th minute from a goal via Nalani Hunt.
- The Bobcats had another shot on goal from Ezra Carpenter in the 71st minute, but the Patriots seized the 2-0 lead off a goal from Camryn Bliss five minutes later.
- Lees-McRae continued to pressure the Patriot backline with four more shot attempts in the final three minutes. Francis Marion advanced with 2-0 victory over the Bobcats this evening.
- Walker made five saves in goal for Lees-McRae. Gutierrez led the Bobcats with three total shots and two shots on target.
- Francis Marion will now UNC Pembroke on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the championship final.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae is currently No. 6 in the NCAA Southeast Regional rankings and will wait for the selection show on Monday evening for a chance in the NCAA Tournament.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics)
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