CHARLESTON, SC -- The 11th ranked Furman men's soccer team handed the Citadel a 8-0 loss in the opening round of the Southern Confernece tournament in Charleston paced by a John Barry Nusum hat-trick.
Despite missing the services of starters Carl Junot, Moffat Oduor, and Kenneth Penn, Furman dominated the match, outshooting the Citadel 23-6..
The top-seeded Paladins jumped out to a 2-0 lead off the head of first team All-Southern Conference Nusum. The first came off assists by Vaughn Bethell and Andy Kidd. Nusum's second goal was assisted by fellow first team All-Conference member Matt Goldsmith.
Furman notched two more goals in the first half to round out 4-0 halftime lead. Anthony Esquivel knocked in a cross misplayed by the Citadel goalkeeper. On the goal, Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year McNeil Cronin was credited with his team-leading 11th assist of the season. Senior Sean Nickerson added the fourth and final first half goal off assists by Scott Hoch and Matt Foxhall.
The Paladins continued the offensive attack just 33 seconds into the second half as Anthony Esquivel scored his second goal of the match off a Ted Figard assist. Nusum completed his second hat-trick of the season by banging a penalty kick off the left post and into the back of the net just eight minutes later. Scott Hoch and John Michael Waite each added their fist goals of the season to close out the Furman scoring.
"All wins are important, especially this time of year," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "I think John Barry Nusum proved once again why he is one of the best forwards in this league. And with this win, we are one match closer to where we want to be."
With the win, Furman improves to 15-3-1 on the season. The Paladins have won 20 consecutive Southern Conference matches dating back to the 1999 season and will face the winner of the UNCG-College of Charleston match on Saturday at 4:30 in the semifinals. With the loss, the Citadel finishes up its season 5-14.
Scoring:
Shots: FU - 23, CIT - 6
Corner Kicks: FU - 3, CIT - 4
Saves: FU - 4, CIT - 6
Fouls: FU - 11, CIT - 7