Sept. 25, 2008
Box Score
Greenville, S.C. -
Davidson rallied from a one-goal deficit twice and Lauren Conner netted the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute as the Wildcats downed Furman 3-2 in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Thursday evening at Stone Stadium.
The Wildcats improve to 3-2-3 overall and 1-0 in Southern Conference play while Furman falls to 6-3-1 overall and 0-1 in the league.
Kyri Bye-Nagel delivered a ball behind the defense and Conner won the race to the ball and slid it into the back of the net at 51:01 to break a 2-2 tie.
Furman grabbed an early lead in the 16th minute when Ashley Creavalle played a ball to the left side of the box for Rachel Fry who beat Wildcat keeper Jessie Baxa at 15:21. Davidson equalized at 26:53. Stephanie Gerow headed a ball in the middle of the box that found its way through a through several players and into the right side of the net.
The Paladins answered to regain the lead less than 10 minutes later off of a set piece. Sara El-Shami played a short corner kick to Rachel Shelnutt who sent the ball back to El-Shami. The junior lofted a cross to the near corner of the six-yard box where Alexa Jones flicked a header across the face of goal and into the side netting to give Furman a 2-1 lead at 36:05.
Once again, Davidson responded with an equalizer. Melanee Smith hammered a long free kick into the box from across midfield and Amanda Fink headed the cross to the far left corner to beat Paladin keeper Jessica Smith at even the game at 2-2 in the 39th minute.
The Wildcats controlled possession for most of the second half and held the Paladins without a shot on goal over the final 53 minutes of play. Davidson managed a 12-8 advantage in shots and 10-2 lead in shots on goal.
Baxa earned her first win in goal for Davidson. Smith made five first half saves for Furman while substitute
Briana da Mota registered one save in the second half.
Davidson travels to Wofford at 2 p.m. on Sunday while Furman hosts Georgia Southern on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at Stone Stadium.
