Orangeburg, S.C. – Nieva Gaither and Julia Nicholas netted two goals apiece to pace the Furman Paladins to a 6-0 victory over South Carolina State in non-conference women's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
 
Gaither, a junior from Lilburn, Ga., found the back of the net twice in the opening 13 minutes and Furman scored all six of its goals in the first half to improve to 4-4-0 on the season. South Carolina State slipped to 0-8.
 
"It's always good to get a victory on the road," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "I was happy we started quickly and took care of business in the first half, allowing us to play a lot of players today. We'll continue to try and grow as a team as we prepare for Southern Conference play."
 
Gaither scored her third goal of the season on an assist from Shania Diaz at the 9:37 mark before scoring for the fourth time in 2022 off an assist from Cambelle Roberson at the 12:27 mark to stake the Paladins to an early 2-0 lead. 
 
Diaz added a goal of her on with assists from Katie Bengough and Gaither at the 18:02 mark before Julia Nicholas bagged the first of her two goals on an assist from Michaela Fisher at 30:33. Less than a minute later, Hayley Foster increased the lead to 5-0 on Fisher's second assist of the afternoon. Nicholas capped the first half outburst on a 38^th minute goal with Maggie Miller earning an assist.
 
Furman compiled a 32-3 margin in total shot attempts, including a commanding 17-0 tally in shots on goal.
 
Senior Nora Sampson and sophomore Abby Ross combined on the shutout in goal for the Paladins. Kierra Cox recorded 11 saves for the Lady Bulldogs.
 
Furman will conclude its non-conference schedule when it hosts College of Charleston on Friday night at Stone Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the Paladins' seniors will be honored prior to the match.