October 31, 1999

NO. 6 FURMAN TOPS GEORGIA SOUTHERN 3-1; PALADINS CLAIM 14TH SOCON TITLE

GREENVILLE, SC -- The sixth-ranked Furman men's soccer team won its 14th Southern Conference championship with a 3-1 defeat of Georgia Southern Sunday at Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium.

With the win, the Paladins finish the regular season with a 15-1-1 record and a perfect 8-0 Southern Conference mark.

Freshman Anthony Esquivel scored the first goal of the match at the 11:06 mark off a double pass from Stephen Rodriguez and Daniel Alvarez. Alvarez then recorded his second assist of the night as he fed sophomore Matt Goldsmith for the second goal of the afternoon. The assist was Alvarez' 12th of the season, tying the Furman single season assist record. Earlier this season, Alvarez became Furman's all-time leader in assists. He now has 37 assists for his career.

Freshman John Michael Waite scored an unassisted goal at the 42:56 mark to give the Paladins' the commanding 3-0 lead. The goal was Waite's first collegiate goal.

Several Paladins received playing time in the second half, but Furman was unable to add to its lead. Georgia Southern's Blake Bironas scored the Eagles' lone goal at the 67:57 mark off assists from Martin Cunningham andJeff Russell.

"It is great to finish the regular season on a high note," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "Hopefully we can continue this momentum into the playoffs."

Furman claims its ninth Southern Conference championship this decade and will enter the Southern Conference tournament as the top seed next weekend. The Paladins face The Citadel at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

The win was the eighth straight for the sixth-ranked Paladins. Furman is also ranked 7th in the NSCAA poll and 10th in Soccer Times.

Scoring

FU - Anthony Esquivel (Daniel Alvarez, Stephen Rodriguez assists) 11:06

FU - Matt Goldsmith (Daniel Alvarez assist) 29:34

FU - John Michael Waite 42:56

GSU - Blake Bironas (Martin Cunningham, Jeff Russell assists) 67:57

Shots: FU - 19, GSU - 10

Corner Kicks: FU - 7, GSU - 2

Saves: FU - 4 (Blount -3, Chaple -1), GSU - 5

Fouls: FU - 10, GSU - 12