BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. - The Barton men's soccer team (9-7-3) suffered a 1-0 loss to Francis Marion (15-4-2) Friday afternoon in the Semifinals of the 2026 Conference Championship at Bryan Park and the Truist Complex.

Francis Marion advances in the league championship on Sunday to face third-seeded Lees-McRae (15-1-3) beginning at 2:00 p.m.  The Bobcats downed second-seeded Converse (11-4-5) by a 3-0 score in their semifinal contest.

The Patriots, the fifth seed in the tournament, scored the lone goal of the contest in the 20th minute when Volkan Celikkol (Ankara, TURKEY) found the back of the net off an assist from Tim Wilkening (Weinheim, GERMANY).

Francis Marion's Vicent Sanchis (Valencia, SPAIN) earned the shutout victory in goal after making six stops.  

Meanwhile, Barton junior goalkeeper Devin Agostinelli (Apex, N.C.) allowed just one goal whie making two saves.  Barton, the eighth seed in the championship, did hold a 12-10 advantage in shots taken depsite the loss.