Hall’s Late Goal Lifts Furman Over Elon, 1-0
Greenville, S.C. -- Martha Hall netted her third game-winning goal of the season in the 80th minute to help Furman edge Elon 1-0 in Southern Conference women’s soccer action Friday evening at Stone Soccer Stadium.
The shutout improved Furman to 10-5-1 overall and 4-3 in the SoCon while Elon slipped to 6-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in the conference. With its 10th victory, Furman reached double digit wins for the 12th consecutive season.
Hall, a freshman from Knoxville, Tenn., provided all the offense the Paladins would need receiving an assists from Rachel Fry and dribbling past a defender before sliding a shot inside the right post at the 79:18 mark for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Both teams threatened to grab an early lead, but came away empty. Lucy Martin opened the game with a pair of shots inside the box. The first shot was cleared off of the line by a defender and goalkeeper Sydney Little smothered the rebound at the right post to keep the match scoreless. Moments later, Kerri Speer created a one-versus-one chance with Paladin keeper Jessica Smith after dribbling past the Furman defense on the right side of the box, but her 16-yard effort was saved by Smith.
Furman held a 15-9 edge in shots and 10-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Paladins attempted four corner kicks without surrendering one to the Phoenix.
Smith notched her fifth shutout in goal and upped her record to 8-2-1 on the season stopping four shots. Little was credited with eight saves for the Phoenix.
Elon travels to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Wofford on Sunday. Furman will celebrate Senior Day when it hosts rival UNC Greensboro on Sunday at 2 p.m.
