GREENSBORO, NC UNC Greensboro was its own worst enemy on Wednesday night as a pair of defensive lapses in the second half erased an early 1-0 lead and gave No. 22 Furman a 2-1 win in Southern Conference men's soccer action Wednesday night.
Furman, which came into the game with the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 1 scoring defense in the nation, raised its record to 9-1-0, 2-0-0 in the Southern Conference, with the win. It made Furman coach Doug Allison the winningest coach in Southern Conference soccer history with his 171st win, passing Davidson's Charlie Slagle (1980-2000). UNCG's Michael Parker, the winningest coach in Division I, is third on that list with 149 during the program's time as a Southern Conference member.
The Spartans (4-4-2, 0-2-0) took a 1-0 lead in the latter part of the first half. At 36:57, Thomas Campbell took a pass from Travis Young and blasted it from 30 yards out into the top left corner of the goal. Campbell's third tally of the season gave UNCG a 1-0 lead.
Furman tied it, however, on an own goal just 3:23 into the second half. Brooks Duff's cross to the center of the goal from the right wing was tipped by a sliding UNCG defender into the net to tie the score, 1-1.
After both teams had chances to break the tie, the Paladins took the lead at 72:11. Dane Roberts found Chris Davis just outside the 18, who looked up to see the Spartan keeper well off of his line. Davis made a quick move down the left side of the box and hit a shot from 14 yards out. A sliding Spartan defender could not catch up to it and Davis had his third goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.
UNCG had a couple of chances after that to get the equalizer, but came away with its third consecutive loss. The Spartans outshot the Paladins, 14-11, on the night. Furman's Bryan Amos had four saves, while UNCG's Chad Janda had three saves.
The Spartans return to action on Saturday evening when they visit Wofford for a 6 pm match.
AGATE
FURMAN..0..2..-2
UNCG........1..0..-1
SCORING: UNCG - Campbell (Young), 36:57; FUR own goal, 48:23; FUR Davis (Roberts) 72:11. Shots: Furman 11, UNCG 14. Saves: Furman 4 (Amos 4), UNCG 3 (Janda 3). Corner kicks: Furman 4, UNCG 4. Fouls: Furman 10, UNCG 11.
- UNCG -
