Women's Soccer Southern Conference

Furman Learns NCAA Fate, Will Face South Carolina on Friday

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Furman women’s soccer team will make its sixth trip to the NCAA postseason when it takes on ninth-ranked South Carolina in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship on Friday at 7 p.m. in Columbia, S.C., it was announced on Monday.

The Paladins, 17-3-2 on the season and riding a six-match winning streak, clinched the Southern Conference’s automatic berth to the tournament by downing Elon, 3-1, in the SoCon tournament final on Sunday afternoon at Snyder Field in Spartanburg, S.C.

Saturday’s match will mark the 16th all-time meeting between Furman and South Carolina, with the Gamecocks holding a 12-2-1 series lead.  The schools last met on Sept. 12, 2010, when South Carolina claimed a 1-0 overtime victory over the Paladins in Columbia.  Furman’s last victory in the series, a 1-0 decision at South Carolina, came during the 2003 season.

Furman posted an 8-1-1 regular-season conference mark to claim its first SoCon regular-season title since 2003 before sweeping through the league tournament to capture its fifth SoCon tournament crown and first since 2007.  The Paladins, who dropped a 2-0 decision at Tennessee in their last NCAA tournament match on Nov. 16, 2007, will be looking for their first NCAA postseason win.

The Paladins are led by 2012 SoCon Player of the Year and 2013 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player Stephanie DeVita.  The Simpsonville, S.C., native and Hillcrest High School product has totaled 15 goals and nine assists in 22 matches this season.  She netted three goals and added two assists in SoCon tournament play.

SoCon Freshman of the Year Carlie Couch has added 12 goals and five assists in 22 matches, including the match-winning tally in Furman’s 2-0 win over Samford in the SoCon semifinals.  Junior midfielder India Robinson, who lifted the Paladins to the SoCon title with a dipping 28-yard strike in the 80th minute versus Elon, ranks as the NCAA Division I leader with 17 assists this season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rose Hull has posted a 13-1-1 record between the pipes in 2013 while pacing the SoCon with a 0.37 goals against average.  Her back line is anchored by first team All-SoCon pick and two-time SoCon All-Tournament selection Catie Moore.

The No. 3 seed Gamecocks will be making their sixth trip to the NCAA tournament in the past seven seasons.  South Carolina posted a 16-3-2 overall record and 8-2-1 conference mark to finish third in the Southeastern Conference.