No. 25 Furman University Paladins and the ETSU men’s soccer team came head to head in Summers-Taylor Stadium on Friday.
This conference battle was one the Bucs had prepared for, but the shots on goal by the Paladins still could have come as shock. However, this match still did not result in a loss. The Bucs walked out of Summers-Taylor tied 0-0, their second draw in conference play this year.
After the Paladins took 19 shots, 10 of which were on-goal, it still wasn’t enough to get past veteran goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland (Chester, U.K.). The defense started with Sutherland and then moved to the backline where the players were able to counteract Furman advances.
Sutherland’s three major saves came in the first overtime of the match, where if a goal had gotten into the net Furman would have won off the sudden death goal.
Furman took 11 corner kicks Friday night, the most any team has kicked against them this season, but none of which resulted in a goal.
What held the Bucs back wasn’t their defense but their offense. In comparison to Furman’s 19 shots on the night, the Bucs had six and only two of them were on-goal.
Luke Parker (Memphis, Tennessee) had the most opportunities going towards the net. Both of his major attempts came in the first and second overtimes, but he couldn’t connect the ball to the back of the net.
With this draw against Furman, the Bucs are 2-0-2, still not recording a loss for conference play. Furman is 1-1-2 in conference play, and one of the main competitors for the Bucs when it comes to determining a Southern Conference champion in a few weeks.
The Bucs are in Johnson City again on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to take on the Mercer University Bears, the last team the Bucs have not played against so far in SoCon play.
