Zipin's Late Goal Gives No. 21 'Cats 2-1 Win Over Furman

Saturday, October 17

Davidson, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

10-3-0, 3-2SoCon

Furman

5-6-2, 1-2SoCon

Team	1	2	Final F
Furman	1	0	1
Davidson	1	1	2

Josh Zipin scored the game-winner over Furman

Zipin's Late Goal Gives No. 21 'Cats 2-1 Win Over Furman

10/17/2009 10:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Mark Brumbaugh

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Josh Zipin made his first goal of the season a game-winner, as the hard-working junior scored off a cross from Yannick Pilgrim with less than eight minutes remaining to give the No. 21 Davidson men's soccer team a 2-1 victory over Southern Conference-rival Furman in front of 864 fans on a chilly Saturday night in Alumni Stadium.

The game had been tied at one since Furman (5-6-2, 1-2 SoCon) evened the score in the 20th minute. Senior Charlie Reiter (Westport, Conn.) sent a lead pass to Pilgrim, who broke free near the middle of the field and sped into the 18-yard box. Pilgrim then sent a cross beyond the left post where Zipin was racing in. The Silver Spring, Md. native was able to create enough space left of the post to get a shot off for the goal from approximately 10-yards out.

“I saw the through pass to Yannick and the coaches have been getting on me about getting forward,” said Zipin after the game. “It was almost the exact same play as the one last game that was called back. I just went for it and was able to get a good strike on the ball.”

Entering the match, the Wildcats (10-3-0, 3-2 SoCon) had lost their last three matches against Furman and their last two conference matches.

“I am very proud of our guys for coming out and beating a talented team in a critical Southern Conference match,” said Davidson head coach Matt Spear. “Our play in the second half was excellent and turned the match in our favor.”

Junior F Yannick Pilgrim (Arima, Trinidad & Tobago) assisted on both goals while Reiter scored his league-leading ninth goal of the season.

Junior MF Alex Caskey (Dunwoody, Ga.) headed a Furman cross to midfield to start the Wildcats' first scoring play. Pilgrim won a battle with a Furman defender for the ball and streaked down the right flank. Reiter trailed and Pilgrim crossed the ball to him in the 18-yard box. Reiter then got a shot off from about 12 yards out to give Davidson a 1-0 lead at 17:50.

Fabien Vorbe evened the match at one though less than two minutes later. One of the top-goal scorers in the conference, Vorbe took a pass from Dane Roberts near the top-right corner of the 18-yard box, and ripped a shot that just sailed over the fingertips of a diving Chip Sanders and into the top-left corner of the goal.

The game remained even until Zipin's goal at 82:17.

“I'm excited for Josh that he got the crucial goal at just the right time,” said Spear. “He provides so much grit and spirit for this team, it is great to see him get rewarded with such a big goal.”

Sanders, a sophomore from Thomasville, Ga., made four saves total for the match while Alec Kann made three for Furman. Davidson held the edge offensively throughout the night, holding a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

After three-straight Southern Conference matches, Davidson will next travel to Blacksburg, Va. for a Tuesday night match (7 p.m.) against Virginia Tech.

Notes: Reiter now has a conference-leading 25 points (9g, 7a) ... Pilgrim is second with 20 points (7g, 4a) ... Davidson has now defeated six teams in 2009 that they lost to in 2008 (High Point, then-No. 25 South Carolina, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, then-No. 6 Duke and Furman)