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Furman Falls to Western Carolina 1-0
Nov. 6, 2005
Greenville, SC - Heather Dittmer's goal in the 48th minute proved to be the only scoring of the afternoon as Western Carolina defeated Furman 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Catamounts win the Southern Conference Tournament Championship.
Western Carolina started the early action as Natalie Turgeon won the ball deep in the Furman defense. Turgeon's shot looked to have chipped Furman goalkeeper Andie Hinshaw, but the senior was able to get a leaping touch and push the ball into the crossbar. A second shot on goal was blocked and Western Carolina was whistled for a foul.
Furman nearly got on the board in the 29th minute as Emily Krankowski won the ball from a Western Carolina defender at midfield and charged into the box unmarked. Catamount goalkeeper Alesha Row came off her line and made a sliding save on Krankowski's shot at the top of the box.
In the 42nd minute, Natasha Moore made a run from her defender position to the Western Carolina attacking third. Moore's shot from 22 yards out was pushed wide of the goal as Hinshaw dove to her far post.
The match went to halftime in a scoreless tie. Western Carolina held a slight advantage in shots 4-3 over the Lady Paladins. Hinshaw recorded three first-half saves, while Row made two stops in goal during the first period.
Western Carolina opened the scoring at the 47:43 mark on Heather Dittmer's seventh goal of the season. After receiving a short corner kick, Turgeon crossed the ball to the back post, and Dittmer's header found the back of the net.
Furman had another scoring opportunity in the 61st minute as Krankowski controlled the ball in the penalty area. Krankowski passed to Rachel Fry, whose first touch beat a Catamount defender. The freshman then left the ball for Katie Tucker at the penalty spot. The midfielder ran onto the ball, but her shot was easily saved by Row.
Another Lady Paladin scoring opportunity was thwarted in the 68th minute following a Western Carolina foul at the top of the box. Tara Marker's shot off the free kick was blocked and her subsequent cross was flicked on by Andre'a Morrison, but the senior was whistled for a foul, denying the scoring chance.
Furman had another opportunity in the 77th minute after a foul just outside the Western Carolina penalty area. Gena Villari's shot was deflected just inches outside the near post. On the ensuing corner, Erin Sanders' header was saved by Row.
The Lady Paladins attacked the Western Carolina goal over the last 15 minutes of the match, with 11 players in the attacking third on several occasions, but could not find the equalizer.
For their play over the weekend, Andie Hinshaw, Erin Sanders, and Nicky Darling were named to the All-Tournament team.
With the win, Western Carolina improves to 18-5-0 on the season. Furman's season ends with a 14-6-2 record. Western Carolina wins the Southern Conference Tournament Championship for the first time in its program's history, and receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
Scoring Summary:
Western Carolina - Heather Dittmer (Natalie Turgeon) 47:43
Shots: Furman 14, Western Carolina 7
Saves: Hinshaw (FU) 5, Row (WCU) 7
Corner Kicks: Furman 7, Western Carolina 6
Fouls: Furman 24, Western Carolina 31
