September 27, 2002
CLEMSON, SC -- Ricardo Clark's game-winning goal at the 86:00 mark propelled 12th ranked Furman to a 4-3 victory over Fairfield at the Clemson/Nike Invitational. Clark's header came off an Anthony Esquivel corner kick.
Esquivel began the scoring as his free kick found the top right corner of the goal, beating Fairfield goalkeeper Andrew Frankel.
Fairfield tied the game in the second half at the 53:32 mark as Justin Thompson slotted a shot past Furman keeper John Hanley. David Thomas and Brian Staley were both credited with assists.
Next came a barrage of goals and cards, as in the last 15 minutes, five goals were scored and two red cards were issued. Chefik Simo took a Clint Dempsey pass and blasted a shot past Frankel at the 72:57 mark. Fairfield answered the goal just minutes later at the 74:19 mark as Manelick De la Parra flicked a loose ball past Hanley. Justin Thompson and Spencer Collum received assists on the play.
Fairfield was then issued two red cards in an 11 second span as Thompson (75:17 mark) and Danny Atwell (75:28 mark) were both ejected from the match.
Furman took advantage of the ejections as McNeil Cronin scored off a Simo corner kick at the 75:57 mark. Fairfield knotted the score once again as De la Parra scored his second goal of the match as he headed in a loose ball bouncing through the Paladin box. Richard Morton and Collum both received assists on the goal.
"It was a win," said head coach Doug Allison. "It wasn’t pretty, but it goes down as a win."
On the afternoon, Furman outshot Fairfield 18-5. The two teams combined for 35 fouls and 11 total cards.
Furman returns to action on Sunday as it faces Ganzaga at 12:30 as part of the Clemson/Nike invitational.
Scoring Summary:
Shots: Furman - 18; Fairfield - 5
Saves: Furman - 1; Fairfield - 5
Corner Kicks: Furman - 8; Fairfield - 3
Fouls: Furman - 14; Fairfield - 21