Greenville, S.C. – Senior Erin O'Hearn scored on a header off of Ellie Laxer's corner kick in the 43^rd minute to power Furman women's soccer to its fifth consecutive victory and fifth straight shutout with a 1-0 win over Western Carolina in Southern Conference play Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium.
 
The win improved the first place Paladins to 10-4-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the SoCon, while the Catamounts dipped to 8-6-0 overall and 2-3-0 in league play. Sunday's victory also helped Furman earn its ninth consecutive double-digit win season and 22^nd in the last 23 seasons.
 
"We responded well to the challenge today, played physical and were able to grind out another win," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "I thought our seniors, Jordan Evens and Arianna Milicia, did a great job of leading our back line with their consistent play and Kellsey Weaver made a couple of key saves."
 
Weaver, who stopped three shots to lead Furman to its fifth straight clean sheet and eighth in 15 matches this season, was tested early. She tipped Julia Winter's driving shot over the bar in the fifth minute and denied the forward on a breakaway chance less than three minutes later.
 
Furman produced the lone goal of the match at the 42:46 mark when Laxer curled a corner kick towards the far post that O'Hearn nodded past WCU goalkeeper Melody Mezzina for her fourth tally of the season. It also marked the second game-winning score of 2019 for the Savannah, Ga., native.
 
Western Carolina went on the attack again the second half, but Weaver and 82^nd minute substitute Nora Sampson each recorded a save to preserve the shutout.
 
Each team tallied 11 total shots with Furman managing a 7-4 edge in shots on target. The match featured four yellow cards, including three on the Catamounts.
 
The Paladins are back in action for the home finale on Friday, October 18, at 7 p.m. when they host the Wofford Terriers for Senior Night. Furman's senior class will be honored prior to kickoff and the 11-member 25^th anniversary team will be recognized at halftime.
 
Tickets for Friday's match are $5 and can be purchased at FurmanPaladins.com or at the Stone Stadium entrance beginning one hour prior to kickoff.