Early Goal Helps Appalachian State Edge Furman 1-0

Oct. 24, 2004

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Keon McPherson scored the game-winning goal in the 20th minute to lead the visiting Appalachian State Mountaineers to a 1-0 victory over Furman in Southern Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Stone Soccer Stadium.

McPherson tallied his sixth goal of the 2004 season at 19:49. After beating his defender at the top of the box, McPherson dribbled down the right side of the box and slotted the game-winning shot under Furman goalkepper Alex Maslow.

Furman had several chances to equalize in the second half. With 22:30 remaining in the match, Furman's Josh Villalobos took a long ball behind the Appalachian State defense but his shot sailed over the cross bar. Less than five minutes later, freshman Brian Bell collected a pass on the right side of the box but was unable to beat Mountaineer keeper Philip Cavicchia who produced a sliding save to protect the 1-0 lead.

Cavicchia tallied three saves to post a shutout for Appalachian State, while Maslow collected three stops in a losing effort for the Paladins.

Furman outshot Appalachian State 15-9, but the Moutaineers finished with a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. The Paladins registered an 8-1 adavantage in corner kicks.

Furman, 4-8-1 overall and 1-5-0 in the Southern Conference, returns to action Wednesday when it travels to South Carolina at 7:00 p.m.. Appalachian State, 7-6-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the league, hosts Davidson in SoCon play on Saturday.