WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic University men's soccer team began their NCAA Tournament run with a 2-1 victory over Francis Marion University this afternoon at the Rinker Athletic Campus. The win moves the No. 2 seeded Sailfish record to 15-2-3 on the season and 11-0 at home.

Francis Marion advanced into the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-2 overtime victory against the No. 10 seed Limestone on Friday which earned them the opportunity to face the No. 2 seeded Sailfish. PBA started the game on the front foot and were able to play their possession game in the first 20 minutes. Neither team created a quality scoring opportunity until the 27th minute when the Patriots were able to capitalize off of a set-piece and take the first-half lead. FMU's Oliver Peters played a ball into the box that was deflected down to the feet of forward Travis Cooke who was quick to have a shot and beat Sailfish keeper Patrick Nettekoven from 10 yards out. 

It was clear that the Patriot's planned to sit back and absorb more pressure than they had to in their first-round game, and they looked difficult for the Sailfish to crack early on. PBA took seven shots in the first half, most from outside the box, but they were presented their first chance when Thomas Spear was taken down in the box by charging FMU keeper Maximiliano Rocco. Gian Scalise stepped up to the spot and beat Rocco to equalize, tying the game 1-1. The two teams went to the halftime break tied with the 'Fish controlling nearly 70 percent of the first-half possession and outshooting the Patriots 7-2.

PBA came out of the second half looking to avoid a third straight season losing its first NCAA Tournament game. For the second time in the game, the Sailfish were awarded a penalty kick when Claudio Rivadeneira was brought down just inside of the box. Rivadeneira calmly beat Rocco to score his eighth goal of the season and give the Sailfish the 2-1 lead.   

 The Patriots were forced to come out of their defensive shell after falling behind, and it left them susceptible to Sailfish counter-attacks. Both Greg Pagni and Simone Pacielli, who have been big contributors late in the season, had great chances that they were unable to put on frame. Rocco was strong in the second half with four saves to keep his side in the match. The great opportunity never came for the Patriots as they played long balls forward down the stretch. Nettekoven made four saves as well in the second half to secure the 2-1 victory. The Sailfish outshot the Patriots 17-8 and controlled 62 percent of the possession in the match. 

With the win, the Sailfish move onto the third round of Super-Region 2 where they will face No. 3 seed Wingate. The remaining games of the super region will be hosted by the highest remaining seed, Lynn, and will be played on Dec. 5.