Jacksonville, Fla. -- Senior Maggie Grisell saved a penalty kick in the 21st minute and fellow senior Stephanie DeVita became the Paladins' all-time leading goal scorer when she netted the eventual match-winning goal in the 48th minute as Furman toppled North Florida, 1-0, in non-conference women's soccer action on Friday night at Hodges Stadium.

The victory was the fifth straight for the Paladins, who improved to 7-2-0 on the season.  North Florida slipped to 1-7-0.

With the match scoreless after 45 minutes, Furman went on the attack to open the second half and got its reward quickly.  After Emily Graves' shot was saved in the opening minute of the period and Furman earned a corner kick moments later, DeVita put the Paladins in front at 47:35. Graves played a pass to DeVita on the left side of the box and the Simpsonville, S.C., native lined a 16-yard shot across the face of goal and into the upper right-hand corner.  

The goal was DeVita's eighth of the season and school record-setting 58th of her career.  She moved past former Paladin great Emily Turgeon to the top of Furman's career goals ledger and moved within one goal of tying former Georgia Southern standout Tara Chiasson as the Southern Conference's all-time leading goal scorer.

"I'm so happy for Stephanie and proud of what she's been able to accomplish in her four years," said Paladin coach Andrew Burr.  "We also owe a lot to Maggie for the great penalty save that really helped wake our team up in the first half hour.  After that we picked up the pace and were able to grind out another win."

UNF came out on the attack, earning a pair of corner kicks and ripping a shot off of the cross bar in the first 15 minutes of the match.  In the 21st minute, an Osprey forward and Furman defender got tangled up in the box and UNF was awarded a penalty kick.  Grisell dove to deny Lanie Keating on a low shot and keep the match scoreless.

Furman came alive as junior Carlie Couch fired a shot off of the post less than two minutes later and forced UNF's Susie Ford into a save in the 36th minute.  Following DeVita's goal to start the second half, the Paladin defense clamped down on the Ospreys' attack and held North Florida without a shot on goal over the final 45 minutes.

Grisell finished with two saves to earn the victory in goal and improve to 6-0-0 on the season.  Ford and Victoria Ekeli each stopped one shot for North Florida.

Furman managed a 14-9 edge in total shots and 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.

The Paladins face a quick turnaround once again as they visit the Jacksonville Dolphins on Sunday afternoon in their non-conference finale.

Log onto FurmanPaladins.com and follow the Paladins on Twitter at @FurmanWSoccer for live coverage links and updates throughout the weekend.


Jordan Caskey, Furman Sports Information