Davidson Battles to the End, Comeback Falls Just Short in Quarterfinals 3-2

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – Davidson tried its best to overcome a 3-0 halftime deficit, getting a goal and assist from Julie Calhoun in the second half, but time was not on the 'Cats' side and Furman held on with a 3-2 decision in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Tournament Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium.

Third-seeded Furman (15-3-2) moves onto the semifinals next weekend when it plays College of Charleston, which upset second-seeded Samford. Davidson (7-10-3) sees its season come to an end for the second year in a row in the quarterfinals, both times being up-ended by the Paladins.

The Wildcats did their best to dig out of a 3-0 deficit, shutting out the Paladins on just five shots in the second half. They took 11 shots themselves, getting a pair of goals in the half thanks to the senior Calhoun.

They broke through first off the foot of freshman Natalie Spach. The midfielder gathered in a cross from Calhoun in the 18-yard box and fired a shot to near post for her first collegiate goal to cut the deficit to two in the 67th minute.

Then with time ticking down, Calhoun got a long through ball kick from goalkeeper Renae Cairns and dribbled into the left side of the box, drilling a shot to the far post for her second goal of the year. The senior defender closed out her four-year career with four goals and two assists.

Davidson tried to push quickly off the restart, but with just 30 seconds left, the Wildcats ran out of time to try and strike one more time.

The game started out with the Wildcats coming out aggressive. They nearly struck for a score in the fifth minute when they had a look on an empty net, but Jenni Isaac's shot outside the box went just left of the post. The 'Cats pressured a clear attempt by Furman's goalkeeper, who was out of position, and Isaac stole the short clear, just missing a score.

It was all Furman from there on in the half. The Paladins stroke for their first goal at the 7:26 mark on a free ball kick on the sideline of the near side. India Robinson bent the free kick, about 30-yards out, into the top-left corner for her first score of the season.

Seven minutes later, Robinson factored into the Paladins' second goal. Another foul by the Wildcats set up a free kick and Robinson sent a ball into the box, where Stephanie DeVita headed a pass to Martha Hall who finished it off.

Devita added to her NCAA-leading goal count at the 22:26 mark by heading in her 19th goal of the season, and the eventual game-winner, off an assist from Alyssa Althoff and Furman led 3-0 at the break.

Davidson held an 18-12 edge on shots and picked up six corner kicks. Cairns came up with a pair of saves in not allowing a goal after relieving Rachel Locke in the 23rd minute.

Game Notes: The Wildcats finished 3-7-1 on the road … Davidson's last win at Furman was in 2008, a 3-2 victory during the regular season … this was the ninth time both teams had faced each other in tournament … Davidson fell to 16-14 all-time in the league tournament … head coach Greg Ashton remains five wins from 100 for his nine-year career at Davidson.

Scoring Summary
7:26     FUR    India Robinson (unassisted)
14:43   FUR    Martha Hall (Stephanie DeVita, India Robinson)
22:26   FUR    Stephanie DeVita (Alyssa Althoff)
66:23   DAV    Natalie Spach (Julie Calhoun)
89:28   DAV   Julie Calhoun (Renae Cairns)

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