University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Furman
Furman Slips Past Asheville 2-1 in Overtime
09.10.2008 | Women's Soccer
GREENVILLE, S.C.? Furman's Rachel Fry scored an overtime goal in the 96th minute to give the Paladins a 2-1 victory over UNC Asheville in women's soccer action on Wednesday night.
Fry's second goal of the year was a 23-yard blast from the top of the box. Lucy Martin was credited with the assist. It was Furman's 29th shot of the match and its ninth shot on goal.
Furman (3-1-1) won its first overtime match of the season in three tries after tying Canisus and falling to South Carolina. Asheville (0-4-1) was playing its second straight overtime match after tying Tennessee-Martin on Sunday.
Sara El-Shami scored off a corner kick in the 59th minute to put the Paladins up 1-0. It was her first tally of the season. El-Shami had her original shot blocked by the Bulldog defense setting up the corner kick.
Leilani Halkotis leveled the match in the 82nd minute as she conspired with Lindsey Bragg for the Dogs' first goal of the year. Bragg sent a cross from the left flank to Halkotis who got behind the defense and was one on one with Paladin goal keeper Jessica Smith. Halkotis' first career goal ended the Dogs' scoreless streak at 462 minutes.
Martha Hall threatened to put Furman back on top in the 86th minute but her shot was saved by Asheville keeper Veronica Lazar. Lazar made two saves in the second period after being forced to make five saves in the first half. Her counterpart, Smith, did not make a save in the entire match as Asheville had just six shots.
The match was scoreless after the first 45 minutes as Furman out-shot UNC Asheville 16-4 in the first half. Only five of the Paladins 16 shots were on goal.
Furman began the overtime period with its sixth corner kick of the match in the 93rd minute. El-Shami's shot off the corner missed high over the bar. The Paladins held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks in the match.
Megan Bradham led all Asheville players with two shots in the match. McKenna Stockhausen, Carolyn O'Brien, and Katy Beeler each had shots for the Dogs.
Furman is 2-0 this season against Big South opponents as it defeated Coastal Carolina 2-0 in its opening match of the season.
Asheville will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend to complete in the JU Invitational. The Dogs will face Georgia State on Friday at 5 p.m. before facing the host Jacksonville on Sunday at 2 p.m.
