September 30, 2001
CLEMSON, SC Sergei Raad scored his second game-winning goal of the weekend just 20 minutes into the second half to give the fourth ranked Furman men's soccer team a 2-1 victory over Cal Poly in the Clemson/Nike Soccer Invitational on Sunday afternoon.
Raad finished with three goals in the tournament, including both game-winners, en route to being named the tournament's offensive MVP. Joining Raad on the all-tournament team from Furman were seniors Matt Goldsmith and Jack Handy, and junior Andy Kidd.
Cal Poly took an early lead off a goal by Mark Jones during the third minute of play. Jones received a bouncing pass from Chris Sigler, touched the ball away from his body, and fired a 20-yard shot past Furman goalkeeper Scott Blount.
Furman answered back at the 20-minute mark. Clint Dempsey started the ball in the middle of the field and took his dribble to the outside and around the Cal Poly defense. Dempsey then beat a final defender to the end line and crossed the ball to the far post. Jack Handy established strong position and won the header, placing it into the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.
Furman took its first lead of the match at the 64:54 mark. Vaughn Bethell sent in a corner kick to the middle of the penalty box. Cal Poly goalkeeper Greg Blevins attempted to punch the ball out of danger, but misplayed the cross to Furman's Ted Figard. Figard touched the ball to Sergei Raad who knocked it past the drawn-out goalkeeper.
The Paladins held on for the final 20 minutes thanks largely to two clutch saves by goalkeeper Scott Blount
"Not all wins are pretty," said head coach Doug Allison. "But I was really proud of the way our guys kept fighting. It was a good win for us and it puts us where we want to be going into the South Carolina match."
The Paladins finished the tournament 2-0 and were declared the tournament champions based on goal differential.
Furman returns home to Eugene Stone III Soccer Stadium on Wednesday to take on in-state rival South Carolina. The Gamecocks are currently ranked 14th by Soccer America. That match is scheduled to begin at 7:00.
Scoring:
Shots: FU 12; POLY 9
Corner Kicks: FU 10; POLY 4
Fouls: FU 11; POLY 13
Saves: FU 4; POLY 3