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Furman Rallies to Defeat UNCG 4-3
Oct. 30, 2005
Greenville, SC - Tara Marker scored the game-winning goal in the 104th minute, and Furman overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat Southern Conference rival UNC-Greensboro 4-3 in double overtime as part of Senior Day on Sunday afternoon. The win marked the greatest comeback in Furman women's soccer history.
The goal was Marker's sixth goal in the last seven matches, including two game-winners. Furman owns a 5-1-1 record over that seven match stretch.
"As I was approaching the ball for the penalty kick, I was just thinking that this is how we wanted to end Senior Day," said Marker. "This was the perfect ending to the regular season, and a great way to beat UNC-Greensboro."
All four of Furman's goals were scored by seniors in their final regular season home match. Andre'a Morrison netted two goals, giving her 15 on the season, which ties her for the fourth-most single season goals in Furman history.
"We fell down 3-0, but we didn't let that stop us," said Morrison. "We knew that we just needed to keep fighting and we would be able to turn it around."
UNC-Greensboro had an early scoring chance in the fourth minute. A free kick sent deep into the Furman penalty area was flicked to the back post by Amy Carnell, but Dacia Beachum's header sailed just high of the crossbar.
The Spartans had another opportunity in the 13th minute as Karla Davis' corner kick looked to be bending toward the goal, but Furman goalkeeper Andie Hinshaw was able to push the ball over the crossbar.
On the ensuing corner kick, Shannon Donovan's shot from 20 yards out deflected off a Furman defender, but was snared by Hinshaw before the ball could cross the goal line.
UNC-Greensboro got on the board at the 18:31 mark on a goal by Amy Carnell. Dacia Beachum took a shot from 10 yards out that was saved by Hinshaw, but the Furman `keeper could not control the ball, and the rebound was tapped in by Carnell for her fifth goal of the season.
The Spartans extended their lead at the 26:29 mark on Deven Beachum's fourth goal of the season. Carnell's header off a corner kick ricocheted off the crossbar, and the rebound was knocked home by Beachum past a diving Hinshaw.
After the intermission, UNC-Greensboro added another goal at the 51:35 mark. Following a Furman foul at the top of the penalty area, Davis curled a left-footed free kick around the Lady Paladin wall and into the side netting for her third goal of the season.
Furman cut into the UNC-Greensboro lead at the 63:31 mark as Katherine Kelley converted her second penalty kick of the season in as many tries. The Lady Paladins earned the free kick as Nicky Darling broke free in the penalty box and was tackled from behind by a UNC-Greensboro defender.
The Lady Paladins added another goal at the 71:32 mark on Andre'a Morrison's 14th goal of the season. Kelley's through ball found Morrison behind the Spartan defense, and the senior forward's shot beat the UNC-Greensboro `keeper to the far post.
Furman nearly tied the score in the 74th minute as Kate Myatt's header was saved off the line by a UNC-Greensboro defender. The rebound came back to the Furman freshman, but her low shot was saved by Spartan goalkeeper Jennifer Stillman.
Emily Krankowski nearly scored the equalizer in the 79th minute as she received a pass from Anna Betton in the Spartan penalty area. Krankowski collected the ball and rifled a point-blank shot at the goal that was saved by a sprawling Stillman.
Furman netted the equalizer on Morrison's second goal of the match at the 86:22 mark. Mickey Palanza sent a long ball to the corner for Krankowski. Stillman came off her line to get the ball, but Krankowski beat the Spartan netminder to the ball and sent a high cross into the box with her first touch. The ball bounced inside the box before Morrison headed the ball into the open net.
Rachel Fry nearly ended the match in the 12th minute of overtime, but her shot from 22 yards out banged into the crossbar.
Furman ended the match at the 103:58 mark on a Tara Marker penalty kick. Marker beat Stillman with a shot to the left side. The play was set up as Marker set a high pass over the top of the UNC-Greensboro defense. Morrison gave chase, and took advantage of a Spartan defender's misplay back to Stillman. Morrison took a touch around the UNC-Greensboro `keeper, but was brought down by Stillman to prevent the easy goal to the open net. Furman was awarded the penalty kick, its second of the match.
With the win, Furman improves to 12-5-2 overall, 7-1-2 in the Southern Conference. The loss drops UNC-Greensboro to 10-6-1 on the season, 6-3-1 in conference action. Furman returns to action this weekend as the Lady Paladins play host to the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Championships. Furman, the number-two seed in the tournament, will face off against Wofford at 7:30 p.m.on Thursday at Stone Soccer Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
UNC-Greensboro - Amy Carnell (Dacia Beachum) 18:31
UNC-Greensboro - Deven Beachum (Carnell) 26:29
UNC-Greensboro - Karla Davis (unassisted) 51:35
Furman - Katherine Kelley (penalty kick) 63:31
Furman - Andre'a Morrison (Kelley) 71:32
Furman - Morrison (Emily Krankowski, Mickey Palanza) 86:22
Furman - Tara Marker (penalty kick) 103:58
Shots: Furman 15, UNC-Greensboro 17
Saves: Hinshaw (FU) 5, Stillman (UNCG) 4
Corner Kicks: Furman 2, UNC-Greensboro 10
Fouls: Furman 20, UNC-Greensboro 17
