Johnson City, Tenn. – Sophomore Valentina Mosquera scored in the 79^th minute to help Furman past ETSU, 2-1, in the Southern Conference women's soccer opener for both schools Friday night at Summers-Taylor Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn.
 
With the match deadlocked at 1-1 and under 12 minutes remaining, reigning SoCon Player of the Year Nieva Gaither made a long run down the left side for the Paladins. The junior spun away from two defenders inside the box and played a low cross through the six-yard box that Mosquera slid onto and touched past the goalkeeper for her third tally of the season at the 78:31 mark for the eventual match-winning score.
 
"We've made a lot of progress as a team over the last month, and we battled to get the three points tonight," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "I was proud of our effort. It was a beautiful game-winning goal and a great play by both Nieva and Val."
 
Senior Nora Sampson stopped three shots to secure her third consecutive victory in goal as the Paladins improved to 6-4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SoCon. Goalkeeper Shu Ohba recorded five saves for the Bucs, who slipped to 2-4-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.
 
Furman grabbed the first half lead at the 15:22 mark when sophomore Shania Diaz's curling free kick from the left side cleared the ETSU wall and crossed the goal line inside the near post before Ohba could smother the shot. The Bucs leveled the match at 1-1 in the 37^th minute when Sampson spilled the ball inside the six-yard box following an ETSU corner kick and Sydney Somogyi pocked in the loose ball.
 
The Paladins posted a 13-8 advantage in total shots and a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Both teams earned six corner kicks.
 
Furman continues its SoCon road trip on Sunday at Western Carolina. Kickoff in Cullowhee, N.C., is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+. ETSU will host Wofford on Sunday afternoon.