October 29, 2000

FURMAN MEN'S SOCCER DOWNS VMI 7-1

LEXINGTON, VA -- The 11th ranked Furman men's soccer team defeated VMI 7-1 Sunday afternoon to conclude the regular season with a 14-3-1 record. John Barry Nusum and Matt Goldsmith paced the Paladins with a goal and two assists each.

VMI's Zach Johnson put the Keydets on top early, but Furman quickly rebounded and scored seven straight goals. Matt Goldsmith scored the equalizer off a double assist from John Barry Nusum and Sergei Raad. Freshman Patrick Tanner scored what turned out to the be game-winner at the 17 minute mark off a Matt Goldsmith assist to extend Furman¹s lead to 2-1 at halftime.

Furman scored four goals in the first 17 minutes of the second half to put the match out of reach as Vaughn Bethell, Clint Hill, John Barry Nusum, and Ted Figard registered goals. Sean Nickerson scored on a set piece late in the match to extend the lead to 7-1.

"It is nice to conclude the regular season with a win like this," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "The regular season is over and now it is tournament time. This is when it really matters. We need to be at the top of our game from here on out."

The Paladins will be the No. 1 seed in the Southern Conference tournament, which begins Thursday in Charleston, S.C. The Paladins will play the winner of Tuesday¹s Wofford-The Citadel match-up in the first round.

Scoring:

• VMI - Zach Johnson () 1:35
• FU - Matt Goldsmith (John Barry Nusum, Sergei Raad assist) 4:57
• FU - Patrick Tanner (Matt Goldsmith assist) 16:21
• FU - Vaughn Bethell (McNeil Cronin, Matt Goldsmith assist) 47:30
• FU - Clint Hill (John Barry Nusum, Sergei Raad assist) 51:!5
• FU - John Barry Nusum (Clint Hill assist) 57:43
• FU - Ted Figard (Vaughn Bethell assist) 62:53
• FU - Sean Nickerson (unassisted) 87:31

Shots: Furman --17 ; VMI --7 .

Corner Kicks: Furman --6 ; VMI --2 .

Saves: Furman --2 ; VMI --4 .

Fouls: Furman --15; VMI --16 .