Post Game Interviews And Highlight Video 

Greenville, S.C. -- Furman senior Stephanie DeVita wrote a final chapter to her storybook Southern Conference Women's Soccer Championship performance on Sunday when the Simpsonville, S.C., native netted the deciding goal in the 105th minute to lift the Paladins to a SoCon title and an NCAA Tournament automatic bid with a 1-0 victory over No. 4 seed Mercer on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium.

The double overtime strike on assists from Rachel Shah and Jamie Alexander delivered Furman its sixth league tournament title, including its second in the last three seasons, and seventh NCAA Tournament berth.  Furman extended its winning streak to nine matches and ran its unbeaten streak to 11 matches.

The Paladins will gather in the Thirsty Paladin at Timmons Arena to watch the NCAA Division I Women's Selection Show, which is slated to be streamed live on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

"We have a special senior class of eight players, many who have played club soccer together, and its very satisfying to see them get the result," said Furman head coach Andrew Burr.  "We're excited to be a part of the NCAA Tournament so we'll put a game plan together, try to get our legs back under us and get ready for next weekend."

With the match scoreless and just over five minutes left before penalty kicks would be needed to determine a champion, Alexander crossed the ball through the box to the right side for Shah.  The Alpharetta, Ga., sophomore spun past a defender and centered the ball to DeVita who laced a shot inside the right post from nine yards out for the "Golden Goal".  The winning tally marked DeVita's league-leading 18th score of the season, her school-record 29th career game-winning goal and her SoCon career-best 68th goal.  The attacking midfielder netted all six goals for the Paladins in three SoCon Tournament contests to earn SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.

"Rachel beat her defender, got through the tackle and crossed it back," said DeVita. "I knew their girl was coming at me, but we both kind of hit it and it went in."

Senior Maggie Grisell stopped six shots to notch her SoCon-leading 10th shutout of the campaign and improve to 16-2-1 in goal for the Paladins.  Mercer's Maggie Cropp, who finished her career as the SoCon's leader in goals against average, turned away eight shots before allowing the winning goal at the 104:55 mark.

"I'm so excited for our team," said Grisell.  "My back line saved me so many times and I can't thank Claire, Amani, Emily, Sanon and Kristen enough."

Furman outshot Mercer 9-7 in the opening period as both teams created several scoring opportunities.  Sanon Williams headed a Shah corner kick off of the cross bar in the 18th minute and Shah forced Cropp into a save with 11 minutes remaining in the half on a shot from inside the box after receiving a through ball from DeVita.  Grisell stopped Maddie Clark's shot early in the second half and Cropp denied Shah and Carlie Couch in the final moments of regulation to send the game into overtime at 0-0.

In the first overtime period, Grisell recorded two saves, including a diving stop on Caroline Smith's effort with 53 seconds left on the clock.  Molly Dwyer pounded a shot off of the post for Furman less than two minutes into the second overtime before DeVita netted the game-winning score.

Furman finished with a 21-15 edge in total shots and 9-6 advantage in shots on goal.

The victory improved Furman to 11-1-1 at home this season and set a new single season standard for home victories.

The championship marked the third tournament title for the Paladins under the guidance of Burr, who previously led his team to the crown in 2007 and 2013.

DeVita, who garnered her second most outstanding player award (2013, 2015) was joined on the SoCon All-Tournament Team by Grisell, Shah and Williams.  

Follow @FurmanWSoccer on Twitter for in-game updates on every Furman women's soccer match.

SoCon All-Tournament Team
Georgia Brown, UNCG
Chesney White, UNCG
Taylor Borman, Samford
Malcanisha Kelley, Samford
Maddie Clark, Mercer
Maggie Cropp, Mercer
Sarah Daane, Mercer
Stephanie DeVita, Furman
Maggie Grisell, Furman
Rachel Shah, Furman
Sanon Williams, Furman

Most Outstanding Player
Stephanie DeVita, Furman




Jordan Caskey, Furman Sports Information