November 14, 2002
CHARLESTON, SC -- Scott Hoch scored the game-winning goal, and added one assist as Furman defeated Wofford 3-0 in the first round of the Southern Conference Men's Soccer Tournament. With the win, Furman advances to the semifinals of the tournament on Saturday against the winner of the College of Charleston/UNCG match.
With the win, Furman extends its conference unbeaten streak to 42 games, tying it with Clemson (1972-1980) for the nation’s longest-ever conference unbeaten streak. The Paladins' streak dates back to the start of the 1999 season.
Hoch began the scoring at the 27:24 mark, as he netted his ninth goal of the season. The play was set up as Clint Dempsey played a ball over the top of the Terrier defense to the corner. Drew Moor ran onto the ball and sent a cross into the penalty box which Hoch headed past Wofford goalkeeper Zach Vogt.
Furman looked to extend its lead at the 39:58 mark as Anthony Esquivel's header found the back of the net, but the goal was called back as the Paladins were ruled offsides. Furman took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Furman added to its lead early in the second half as Luke Barbour scored his first goal of the season at the 49:40 mark. Wes Windsor sent a corner kick across the face of the goal, and Barbour headed the ball past Vogt.
The Paladins finished the scoring at the 71:33 as Jon Rydarowski netted his first career goal. Hoch passed the ball to Richie Craven making a run into the Wofford penalty box. Craven flicked the ball over a defender to Rydarowski who one-touched it into the net.
Furman dominated the game stats, outshooting Wofford 30-6. John Hanley and a stingy Paladin defense limited Wofford to very few scoring opportunities. Hanley recorded his sixth shutout of the season.
"We played well tonight," said head coach Doug Allison. "Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win the conference tournament, and we are now one step closer to accomplishing our goal."
With tonight's shutout, Furman extends its consecutive shutout streak to eight matches, the longest in school history. The eight game shutout streak is the sixth longest in NCAA history, and the longest in the past ten years, since Wisconsin-Green Bay put together a string of ten straight shutouts. Furman also extended another school record as it has put together 778 consecutive shutout minutes. The Paladins have not allowed a goal since October 5 in a match against St. Louis.
With the win, Furman improves to 16-2-1, while Wofford falls to 3-15-2. Furman returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the semifinals of the SoCon tournament against the winner of the College of Charleston/UNCG match.
Scoring Summary:
Shots: Furman -- 30; Wofford -- 6
Saves: Furman -- 0; Wofford -- 8
Corner Kicks: Furman -- 7; Wofford -- 3
Fouls: Furman -- 16; Wofford -- 15