Box Score Game Stats
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The women’s soccer team pushed past Furman, 1-0, in a must-win match for Coach Kiah’s program. The Terriers celebrated senior night before the match, and rejoiced after the game when the final word was given that the team earned a spot in the conference tournament. Wofford’s Nikki Siebert helped give the Terriers the win, scoring in the 24th minute. Wofford was able to hold strong throughout the rest of the match, giving the team a 1-0 win. The Terriers improve to 7-7-4 on the year and post a 2-5-4 standing in the Southern Conference. Furman falls to a 9-7-3 regular season record, with a 4-4-3 record in the Southern Conference.
Before the match started, the 2010 seniors were honored at center field for their contributions to the women’s soccer program. Lauren Cozzarelli, Daniella Fatti, Katie McChesney, Nikki Siebert, and Megan Wellborn took to Snyder Field for the last time in their career.
Kickoff began in a downpour, with players and fans being soaked alike. The field was drenched in minutes, forcing the ball to skip and skid and making it hard for both teams to gain a steady control of possession. Nikki Siebert was able to take advantage of an offensive attack despite the tricky conditions in the 24th minute. Anne Phillips squared a ball to Siebert, who took the ball on the foot near the top of the 18 yard box. Siebert lined up a shot and skipped the ball past Furman goalkeeper, Jessica Smith, giving the Terriers a 1-0 lead.
Siebert’s score gives the senior forward her fourth goal and Phillip’s assist gives the midfielder her fifth assist of the season.
The Paladins had two threatening attempts during the match, with their closest shot coming in the 11th minute as Furman’s Chelsea McKie’s shot banged the right post and skidded wide. Casey McKeon nearly tied the game in the 67th minute for the Paladins, knocking a header toward the Wofford net. Kimberly Cohn was able to grab the shot, keeping Furman blank on the board.
Furman was able to get off 11 shots throughout the match, but Wofford’s defense and Cohn were able to hold strong for the 1-0 win at the end of regulation. Cohn totaled three saves in the match and earned her second shutout.
Wofford had 13 shots in the match, with seven of the attempts being on frame. Siebert led the team in shots with three and tied with Rachael Blackburn and Fatti with shots on goal with two. Siebert commented on the teams win after the match, saying, “It was really great to get another conference win on senior night. The bond between the seniors and underclassmen has grown so much this past season and I think tonight’s game really showed that. Now we just have to bring that same energy and intensity we had tonight to the tournament and pull an upset on Sunday.”
Tonight’s match marks the end of the regular season for the Terriers, but after the victory the women’s soccer team earns a spot in the conference tournament. Wofford will travel to Greensboro, N.C. to face the No. 16 team in the nation, UNC Greensboro, for the first round on Sunday, October 31st. Furman finishes the regular season at sixth place in the Southern Conference and will travel to Charleston, S.C., to face The Citadel in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament on Sunday.
