Men's Soccer struggles early, loses to UNCW
By: Justin Ryan
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Sports
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In addition, the Paladins played a tough exhibition game on August 23, traveling to face the top-ranked team in the nation, Wake Forest.
Furman lost 1-0 to the Demon Deacons, managing eight shots but putting only one of those efforts on target. Josh Zimmer, the sophomore Paladin goalkeeper, did manage three saves.
Three days later, the Paladins opened their regular season with a double-overtime loss at UNC-Wilmington. The Paladin offense was slow to start against the Seahawks, not threatening much until UNCW's Daniel Roberts was sent off in the 74th minute.
With the Seahawks shorthanded, Furman freshman Fabian Vorbe tied the game at 1-all with his 80th-minute header, and then he struck again nine minutes later.
Although the Paladins looked to have the game wrapped up, UNCW tied the game at two goals apiece with just seven seconds left on the clock. Matt Brown proceeded to give the Seahawks the game-winner in extra time.
Last week, the Paladins split two games during the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational. On September 5, Furman shut out Bowling Green when senior Andrew Krysiak and sophomore Brooks Duff each scored in the final ten minutes.
Two days later, however, the Paladins were shut out themselves, as Washington University scored early and often on their way to a 4-0 win in the final of the Invitational. Furman actually led Washington in shots taken, but they only put one of those shots on goal and never found the back of the net.
Things will not get easier this weekend. The Paladins will try to get things turned around when they hit the road for the Nike/Aaron Olitsky Memorial Classic in Charleston, SC. Furman faces Brown on Friday afternoon and then matches up with Ohio State on Sunday.
Brown is ranked 12th nationally, while Ohio State is 10th. Furman has fallen out of the national rankings since starting the season ranked 20th. A strong showing this weekend could push them back into the poll.
The Paladins would like to see stronger starts to their matches. All four of Furman's goals on the season have come in the second half. Against the upcoming tough competition, Furman's chances will be improved if they can keep themselves from having to play from behind.