Furman Women’s Soccer Tops Wofford;
Advances to Second Straight Championship match

 Greensboro, N.C -- Kaye Brownlee and Melissa Sutton each scored twice as the Furman women’s soccer team defeated Wofford 4-1 Saturday evening to advance to the championship match of the Southern Conference Tournament.

 Furman senior Melissa Sutton opened the scoring as she put Furman ahead 1-0 at the 7:17 mark off a double assist from Melissa Turner and Tara Brexel.  Wofford’s Amanda Berman headed in an Emily Olmstead freee kick from midfield to even the match at 1-1 at the 12:51 mark. Kaye Brownlee put the Lady Paladins on top for good with an unassisted goal from the 18-yard line.

 Brownlee connected on her second goal of the night early in the second half as she drilled in a shot after receiving a pass from Katie Carson, who received a ball from Melissa Turner.  Melissa Sutton scored an insurance goal at the 76:20 mark after winning a loose ball.

 Furman will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournamnent with a win Sunday in the championship match.  The Lady Paladins, who improve to 19-2 on the year, could receive an at-large bid even if they fall tomorrow, but would be considered a “bubble team” with their fate in the habds of the NCAA committee.

 “This was a good win for us,” said Furman head coach Brian Lee.  “We have one more match until we are assured of our goal, a trip to the NCAA Tournament.”

The Lady Paladins won their school record tenth straight match and have now defeated Wofford three times in a row.

 Sophomore Kaye Brownlee continued her impressive career as she moved into second place on Furman’s all-time points chart.  Brownlee, who leads the Lady Paladins this season with 12 goals and 17 assists, has 20 goals and 36 assists for 76 points on her career.

 Furman will face the winner of the Davidson-Georgia Southern match in Sunday’s final at 2 p.m.
 

Scoring:
FU - Melissa Sutton (Tara Brexel and Melissa Turner assists) 7:17
WC - Amanda Berman (Olmstead assist)    12:51
FU - Kaye Brownlee (unassisted)     31:48
FU - Kaye Brownlee (Katie Carson, Melissa Turner assists)  61:08
FU - Melissa Sutton (unassisted)     76:20

Shots: FU - 21, WOF - 7
Saves: FU - 2, WOF - 9
Corner Kicks: FU - 9, WOF - 1
Fouls: FU - 5, WOF - 7