Nov. 24, 2007

Box Score

Greenville, S.C. - Chris Davis and Haris Cekic each netted goals and Shea Salinas added two assists as Furman blanked Campbell 2-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Saturday at Stone Soccer Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins improve to 19-3-0 on the season and advance to face second-seeded Wake Forest in second round action Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C. Campbell concludes its season at 13-6-3.

"Its great to advance, especially for the seniors who are here for the first time," said Furman coach Doug Allison. "Bryan Amos did a great job in goal. I thought he controlled the box well and we were able to withstand the pressure late in the game."

Campbell threatened on a pair of counter attacks in the opening half, but it was substitute Chris Davis putting the Paladins ahead with less than 10 minutes remaining in the period. Salinas dribbled toward the end line down the left side and played a pass to Davis on the left side of the box. The senior beat Campbell keeper Aaron Johnson just inside the far post with a left-footed shot for his fifth goal of the season at 35:34.

The Camels continued to create opportunities on counter attacks. Josue Soto rattled a shot off of the bar with under 28 minutes left and junior Richard Jata drew several free kicks from dangerous positions with long runs through the midfield.

Campbell controlled the majority of possession over the final 20 minutes, but was unable to force Furman keeper Bryan Amos to make a second half save. Takato Ban helped relieve the pressure and doubled Furman's lead with less than a minute to go. The defender took a quick restart and sent a long ball to Salinas down the right side. The junior drew the keeper out of net and crossed to Cekic who hammered home his 10th goal of the season at 89:19.

Both goalkeepers tallied two saves on the day while Amos notched his 10th shutout on the season to move into third on Furman's single season and career shutouts list. Campbell held a 12-10 edge in shot attempts, but Furman maintained a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Furman attempted three corner kicks while the Camels drew just one corner kick.

The win marks the fourth time in seven trips to the NCAA Tournament that Furman has advanced to the second round and third time that Allison has led Furman through the opening round. Wednesday's match will mark the third time Furman and Wake Forest have met in the tournament with the Paladins having won both matches. Furman downed the Demon Deacons 1-0 in the opening round in 1991 at Wake Forest and won 4-0 in second round play in Winston-Salem in 1999.

Furman's 19 wins equal the second highest total in school history and the most since the Paladins finished 19-3-1 and advanced to the round of 16 in 2002. The win improves Furman to 5-6-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament play and 3-0-0 at Stone Stadium.