#22 Furman 2, UNC Greensboro 1
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? Chris Davis netted his third goal of the season on an assist from Dane Roberts in the 72nd minute to lead 22nd-ranked Furman to a 2-1 victory over UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference men’s soccer action Wednesday night at UNCG Stadium.
Furman, which came into the game with the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 1 scoring defense in the nation, raised its record to 9-1-0, 2-0-0 in the Southern Conference, with the win. It made Furman coach Doug Allison the winningest coach in Southern Conference soccer history with his 171st win, passing Davidson’s Charlie Slagle (1980-2000). UNCG’s Michael Parker, the winningest coach in Division I, is third on that list with 149 during the program’s time as a Southern Conference member.
The Spartans (4-4-2, 0-2-0) took a 1-0 lead in the latter part of the first half. At 36:57, Thomas Campbell took a pass from Travis Young and blasted it from 30 yards out into the top left corner of the goal. Campbell’s third tally of the season gave UNCG a 1-0 lead.
Furman tied it, however, on an own goal just 3:23 into the second half.
Brooks Duff’s cross to the center of the goal from the right wing was tipped by a sliding UNCG defender into the net to tie the score, 1-1.
After both teams had chances to break the tie, the Paladins took the lead at 72:11. Dane Roberts found Chris Davis just outside the 18, who looked up to see the Spartan keeper well off of his line. Davis made a quick move down the left side of the box and hit a shot from 14 yards out. A sliding Spartan defender could not catch up to it and Davis had his third goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.
UNCG had a couple of chances after that to get the equalizer, but came away with its third consecutive loss. The Spartans outshot the Paladins, 14-11, on the night. Furman’s Bryan Amos had four saves, while UNCG’s Chad Janda had three saves.
The Spartans return to action on Saturday evening when they visit Wofford for a 6 pm match.
AGATE
FURMAN..0..2..-2
UNCG........1..0..-1
SCORING: UNCG - Campbell (Young), 36:57; FUR ? own goal, 48:23; FUR ? Davis
(Roberts) 72:11. Shots: Furman 11, UNCG 14. Saves: Furman 4 (Amos 4), UNCG
3 (Janda 3). Corner kicks: Furman 4, UNCG 4. Fouls: Furman 10, UNCG 11.
- UNCG -
Appalachian State 2, Wofford 0
BOONE, N.C. - In a match that went over an hour scoreless, it took the Apps less than a minute to put the game to bed. The Appalachian State men’s soccer team won their second consecutive SoCon match over Wofford on Wednesday afternoon 4-0. Senior McCoy Livingston was the hero of the day as he netted two goals in the 74th minute to secure the win.
Appalachian improves to 6-2-2 overall and 2-0 in the SoCon with the win. The Terriers fall to 2-6-1 in the loss having dropped their last six matches.
“I’m really happy for McCoy ,” said head coach Paul Stahlschmidt. “He has worked really hard this week and had a great game today.”
The teams traded blows back and forth for over an hour. Appalachian grabbed the lead at 73:07 when senior Michael Walters delivered a corner kick to the far post and the awaiting head of Livingston. Livingston pushed the ball home for his fourth goal of the season. Walters earned his sixth assist of the season.
Only 41 seconds later, Livingston struck again. This time, Walters delivered a free kick into the box and Livingston’s head about six yards from goal. Livingston nodded the ball into the goal for his fifth tally of the season. Livingston now ties for the team lead on goals while Walters is now the top assist man for the Apps.
Working between the pipes was senior Greg Walters who earned his fifth shutout and fourth win of the season. Walters stopped five shots on the afternoon.
Appalachian outshot Wofford 18-10 overall and 9-3 in the second half. The Mountaineers were tagged for 16 fouls while only drawing 13 whistles. The Apps forced three corners and conceded six.
ASU will now travel to Elon for a Saturday afternoon match on October 6. The Mountaineers face the Phoenix starting at 7:00 p.m.
#25 South Carolina 2, Davidson 1
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- After controlling play for the first 79 minutes of action, Davidson gave up a pair of late goals and suffered a 2-1 setback to No. 25 South Carolina in men's soccer action Wednesday evening at Alumni Stadium. The loss was the fifth straight for the Wildcats dropping them to 1-8-0, while USC improves to 7-3-0.
“The good news is we played some very excellent soccer,” said Davidson head coach Matt Spear. “My focus for the team going in was to show better effort, better pride and raise our performance level and we accomplish all that, which is a step forward.”
The Wildcats wasted little time grabbing the early advantage when senior Aaron West found the back of the net 4:11 into the contest for his second goal of the campaign. The game's first strike was set up by Alex Caskey's corner kick that was flicked on by Machel Turner to West, who headed it home from six yards out.
Davidson missed a golden opportunity to grab a 2-0 lead with just 9:13 remaining in the first half when Turner's diving header from point blank range off a West cross missed wide.
“If we score one of our several chances we seize control of the game and have a much better chance at a major victory.”
South Carolina's Tyler Ruthven provided the equalizer in the 79th minute on a header off a David Smith set piece from just outside the 18-yard box.
Just after the Gamecocks tied the contest at a goal each, they grab the lead for good 4:36 later when Jeff Scanella put away Blake Brettschneider's cross from the right side.
“The bad news is we were unable to complete the game. They scrapped and stayed in the match and capitalized on their late chances. We lost a little bit of composure and they stepped up and made some good plays.”
Despite the loss, the Wildcats held a 12-7 advantage in shots. Jimmy Maurer recorded a game-high three saves in net for USC, while Davidson's Robby Goldsberry turned away a pair of his own.
“The other good news is we outplayed a very good team with a strong tradition and is having a great season.”
Davidson will conclude its brief homestand with a 6 p.m. match against SoCon rival Furman Oct. 6. The Gamecocks return to action Sunday in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Florida International in Miami, Fla.