Hickory, N.C.-- The #23 ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Bears saw their five game winning streak come to and end as Francis Marion defeated the Lenoir-Rhyne 1-0 on Wednesday evening. This was the first time this season the Bears were held without a goal. The Patriots improve to 5-0 on the season.

Riley Miller made four saves in goal for the Bears as LR will look to rebound on Saturday with a trip to Wingate.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Francis Marion 1 , #23 Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Records: Francis Marion (5-0),  #23 Lenoir-Rhyne (5-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. I Moretz Sports Athletic Campus

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• The first half was scoreless as each team had just one shot on goal.
• The Bears did have a great opportunity in the 43th minute but the Patriots's goalkeeper Erin Grabeel made a point blank save on a Tea Sabin shot to keep the game scoreless. 
• Francis Marion got the game's only goal in the 51st minute off a corner kick when Madeline Ballard found the back of the net for the game winner.
• The Bears had eight corner kick opportunities themselves but could not get one pass Grabeel.
• LR was called for a season-high six offsides tonight.
• Riley Miller made four saves in goal for the Bears, three of them in the second half. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Lucia Hidalgo was named SAC Offensive Player of the Week winner yesterday after her two goals last week. 
• This is the seventh straight season the Bears have been nationally ranked.
• This was the first matchup between these teams since the 2021 season. 

UP NEXT: The Bears will return to conference play on Saturday for a rivalry showdown against Wingate. The Bulldogs suffered a setback tonight as they fell to Tusculum 3-2, giving them their first conference loss. Kick-off is schedule for 5:00 pm from Wingate, N.C.