Nov. 18, 2007

Box Score

Greensboro, N.C. - Haris Cekic scored in the 99th minute to lift 22nd-ranked Furman to its 11th Southern Conference Tournament title with a 1-0 victory over host UNC Greensboro at UNCG Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Shea Salinas lofted a pass to Cekic in the box and the freshman popped a shot over charging Spartan goalkeeper Chad Janda that trickled into an empty net for the game-winner at 98:24.

Furman improves to 18-3-0 on the season and claims the SoCon's automatic bid to next week's NCAA Tournament. UNC Greensboro concludes its season at 11-8-2. Furman will find out its first round opponent and wether it will host or hit the road during the NCAA Men's Soccer Selection Show Monday between 5:30-6:00 p.m. on ESPNews.

"This is a tremendous win for our program and a credit to the efforts and leadership of our senior class," said Paladin head coach Doug Allison. "Bryan Amos and our back line did an outstanding job all weekend long and we were able to break through in the end."

UNCG controlled much of the early possession creating several dangerous chances around the Furman box. The Spartans recorded a 5-4 edge in shots, but had a pair of first half free kicks sail high of the bar.

Furman's best chance of the period came in the final five minutes of the half. Salinas weaved through a group of defenders, but was sent sprawling to the turf before delivering a shot. Play was waved on by the referee.

Furman posed the first threat of the second half when a deflection off of a corner kick was knocked wide. The Spartans countered as Matt Strine ran onto a pass inside the box, but missed high on a one-versus-one with Amos.

With just under 35 minutes left Eliot Paschalis drilled a 30-yard shot that Janda touched over the bar. Furman threatened again with 26 minutes left as Eric Baffour chased down a through ball, but Janda raced 25 yards off of his line to clear the ball. Salinas got on the end of a Jordan Howard corner with 18:30 left missing high. Just two minutes later, Baffour slid a pass through to Chris Davis only to have the offside flag raised.

Furman missed another near scoring opportunity with 15 minutes remaining. Davis served a cross in from the left, but Erwood's header missed high once again. Rob Victor had two chances in the final 10 minutes. The junior missed wide at the near post on a Patrick White throw-in before missing off of a Cekic cross to the back post.

Howard took advantage of a throw-in with under seven minutes left driving a loose ball to the left side, but Janda`s diving punch kept the match scoreless.

UNCG's Thomas Campbell created several early chances in overtime, but it was Cekic, with his ninth goal of the season, claiming the SoCon title for Furman on its only shot of extra time.

Amos, the tournament's most outstanding player, stopped two shots to earn his ninth shutout of the season. Furman held a 14-9 edge in shots, including a 10-4 advantage after halftime. The Paladins managed a 4-2 margin in corner kicks.

The win gave Furman its first league title since 2001 and propelled the Paladins to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance.