September 26, 1999

FURMAN-SOUTH CAROLINA BATTLE TO 1-1 TIE

GREENVILLE -- The 15th-ranked Furman men's soccer team tied rival South Carolina 1-1 Sunday in front of 2,345 fans at Eugene Stone III Soccer Stadium.

The Paladins jumped on the board first as Furman's leading scorer, John Barry Nusum, scored his sixth goal of the season eight minutes into the match. Nusum scored on a header in the left side of the box set up by a Paul Leese cross off a Ryan Conway throw-in.

Throughout the remainder of the first half and into the second, the Paladins kept the pressure on, but was thwarted by Gamecock goalkeeper Henry Ring as well as a number of missed chances. Furman's John Bradford missed a penalty kick at the 62:47 mark that would have put the Paladins ahead 2-0.

South Carolina was finally able to even the score at the 83:56 mark in the second half with a Joey Worthen header off a Tim Glowienka cross set up by a Jukka Sunquist throw-in.

Both teams had opportunities to score in the second half, but each goalkeeper continued to make great saves to keep the match tied. The Paladins outshot the Gamecocks 22-12 on the afternoon, while South Carolina keeper Henry Ring made 12 saves and Paladin Scott Blount made six saves.

"I thought we played very well today," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "I felt we deserved to win, but we have to finish our chances. When it is time to bury a team, you have to bury them, and we didn't. I thought we showed great character this afternoon and that both teams put quality efforts on the field."

"It is hard to dig out from a deficit," said USC head coach Mark Berson, who coached Allison from 1984-87 at South Carolina. "They capitalized on an early goal and we had to fight to come back."

The attendance mark of 2,345 made Sunday's match the second most watched home soccer match in Furman history. The only match to top today's attendance was the 1995 stadium dedication match with South Carolina, which was attended by Pele. Furman is now averaging 1,400 spectators per match in 1999.

"It was just a great crowd," said Paladin forward John Barry Nusum. "It is good to see a lot of people come out and support the team. We hope they continue to come and cheer us on."

A total of 38 fouls were called in the match and ten yellow cards were given. Furman's Seth Marks was red carded in the 117th minute after receiving his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Furman remains unbeaten at 6-0-1, while South Carolina moves to 4-2-2 on the season. The Paladins face two ranked opponents at Clemson next weekend in #21 Akron on Friday and #2 Santa Clara on Sunday.

Scoring:

FU - John Barry Nusum (Paul Leese, Ryan Conway assists) 8:23

USC - Joey Worthen (Tim Glowienka, Jukka Sundquist assists) 83:50

Shots On Goal: Furman 22; USC 12.

Corner Kicks: Furman 4; USC 4.

Saves: Furman 6; USC 12.

Fouls: Furman 19; USC 19.