August 31, 2008

UNC Wilmington Stuns No. 20 Furman In Double Overtime, 3-2

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Freshman forward Matt Brown knocked in the game-winning goal in the 104th minute as UNC Wilmington stunned nationally-ranked Furman, 3-2, in men’s college soccer action on Sunday at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.

In overtime, Brown was able to corral a long clearing pass from senior Will Friesinger, split a pair of Paladin defenders and notch the game-winning goal at the 103:20 mark.

Neither team was able to score in the first half, but the Seahawks held a 6-1 advantage in shots. UNCW’s best opportunity to break into the scoring column was in the 36th minute when junior Kirk Hudgins collected a loose ball and beat Furman goalkeeper Josh Zimmer, but freshman Chris Klute was able to clear the ball off the goal line and keep the match scoreless.

The Seahawks got things going in the 65th minute when sophomore Indy Smith headed home his first goal of the season. Smith scored off a rebound by junior Jon Kearns, whose own shot hit the cross bar and rebounded to Smith.

UNCW was reduced to 10 men on the field in the 74th minute when sophomore Daniel Roberts was sent off and the Paladins were able to take advantage of the short-handed Seahawks.

Furman freshman Fabien Vorbe scored the first of his two goals on the afternoon when he headed in a cross from freshman Eric Cobleigh in the 80th minute. The free kick was set up on the leftside by a Seahawk foul.

Vorbe struck again in the 89th minute with what looked to be the game winner. The Port-au-Prince, Haiti native was on the receiving end of a through ball from freshman Warren Creavalle into the penalty area where he calmly slipped his shot past a diving Brock Duckworth.

With time winding down in regulation, UNCW’s Christian Davidson’s throw in from the left side sailed into the penalty area where Smith headed the ball over to junior Devan Carroll, who tied the game with just seven seconds left on the clock.

Duckworth finished with two saves while Zimmer posted four of his own.

UNCW finished with a 16-12 advantage on shots.

The Seahawks hit the road on Friday when they take on Syracuse at the prestigious Mayors Cup tournament in Oneonta, N.Y. The Paladins, meanwhile, hosts Bowling Green at the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational on Friday.


"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"