ETSU’s women’s soccer team ended their season Thursday night losing to the top seeded Furman Paladins 3-0, in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.
In the opening minutes of the first half, the Paladins scored on a shot by Andrea Morrison that was redirected by an ETSU player. Morrison continued to be a scoring threat nearly connecting minutes later, but a diving save by ETSU goalie Heather Sanden prevented the goal.
Sanden kept the Bucs in the match. She registered nine saves on the night.
Furman finally broke through midway through the second half. Morrison scored in the 60th minute off of an Alice Martin assist. Furman struck again just eight minutes later as Melissa Vogel clinched the win. Morrison picked up the assist.
The Paladins outshot the Bucs, 20-6. Furman also held an advantage on corner kicks, 11-1.
ETSU ends it season at 6-11-1. Furman advanced to battle UNC Greensboro in the semifinals and went on to win the 2002 SoCon title.
UNCG needed two overtimes and penalty kicks to defeat Davidson, 1-1 (4-1 in penalty kicks), and advance to the second round Friday.
The Spartans connected on all four of their penalty kicks to advance to face Furman.
Against Furman, UNCG jumped out to an early lead as Dacia Beachum scored her fifth goal of the season at the 15-minute mark, but Furman answered with its own goal at the 32:37 mark.
Emily Turgeon sent a throw-in to the near post. Tara Marker made a near post run and flicked the ball toward the far post. Ashley Murray then one-touched the ball into the back of the net for her third goal of the season.
Morrison scored the game-winner at the 63:05 mark for her seventh goal of the season.
“Our girls fought hard until the final whistle and that is all I can ask,” UNCG head coach Eddie Radwanski said. “We’ve enjoyed a lot of success and consistency in it. I’m very proud of our team today.”
Morrison scored her second game-winner of the tournament and helped the Paladins defeat the Spartans, 2-1, in the second round of the tournament.
UNCG, the 2001 SoCon champions, ended the 2002 season at 7-12-2.
“We gave a great effort today,” Furman coach Brian Lee commented. “I thought our play in the second half was outstanding.”
With the win, Furman advanced to Sunday’s championship match against College of Charleston.
Turgeon’s 16th goal of the season proved to be all the scoring the Lady Paladins needed as they blanked College of Charleston 3-0 to claim the 2002 SoCon women’s soccer championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Andrea Morrison was named the Tournament MVP, scoring three goals and recording two assists in Furman’s three matches.
Furman has now won 11 straight matches, tying the school’s longest winning streak set in the 1999 season. Over those eleven matches, Furman has outscored its opponents 33-4.
Counting the regular season and the tournament, Furman outscored SoCon opponents 45-5 and have registered nine shutouts in 13 total matches.
Furman will find out their NCAA Tournament opponent today at 4:30 p.m. on the NCAA Selection Show televised on ESPNews.

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