CHARLESTON, S.C. - Senior forward Matt Morris scored his second goal of the evening just 32 seconds into overtime to give the College of Charleston men's soccer team a 3-2 victory over Furman on Monday evening.
Morris headed the ball into the back left corner off a throw in by senior midfielder Jake Helmig. The goal ended the game and clinched the No. 2 spot for the Cougars in the Southern Conference Championships.
Three seniors recorded points for the Cougars (10-8-0, 5-2 SoCon) on Monday evening, after being recognized on senior night. Morris put Charleston on the board 10:23 into the first half with a header from six yards out off a free kick by senior forward Zach Prince.
As the clock ticked down in the first half, Furman (7-7-2, 2-3 SoCon) evened the score, capitalizing on a penalty kick by Talon Stroud at the 41:31 mark. The two SoCon teams entered halftime tied 1-1.
Junior Branko Gavric nearly scored in the 63rd minute when his shot from nine yards out bounced off the crossbar and then the left post before landing within reach of Furman goalkeeper Alec Kann.
The Paladins took the lead at 68:40 when Nasarachi Onyeuku netted his fourth goal of the season. Onyeuku rifled a right-footer into the upper 90 near the back post.
With 1:10 remaining in regulation, junior Sean Flatley emerged from a scramble in front of the net to slip one past Kann and tie the game for the second time. Freshman Shawn Ferguson was credited with his first collegiate assist.
With the win, the conference tournament field is set as CofC will take on Elon in the first semifinal Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m.. Host Wofford will take on UNC Greensboro in the second semifinal, slated for 7:30 p.m. The championship match will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m.