Greenville, S.C. – Junior Shania Diaz netted her second goal of the season and Furman remained unbeaten in Southern Conference women's soccer play with a 1-1 draw versus preseason league favorite Samford in the Paladins' annual Cancer Awareness Match sponsored by Bon Secours on Thursday night at Stone Stadium.
 
Diaz, a native of Hilton Head Island, S.C., opened the scoring for Furman (5-3-5, 1-0-4 SoCon) in the 30^th minute when Ellie Herrmann tracked down a corner kick on the left side of the box and delivered the ball into the path of the midfielder inside the six-yard box. With her left foot, Diaz swept a shot into the far, right-hand corner at the 29:50 mark to put the Paladins in front, 1-0.
 
Samford (7-3-4, 3-1-1 SoCon) managed to level the match in the 67^th minute on the first goal of the season by Mason Wells. The junior took a pass from Brigid McElderry and lined a shot from the right-hand side near the top of the box to the far corner at the 66:40 mark.
 
"That was a good result tonight against a quality team," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "We played with connectivity, passion, and energy tonight. I thought Addison Corn and our defense were very organized and continued to show the identity we have been trying to build as a team."
 
The Bulldogs continued to pile on the pressure in the final minutes, but Furman goalkeeper Addison Corn and the Paladin back line held Samford at bay to earn the point. Corn finished with six saves on the night while Samford's Zoe Clevely made three saves.
 
Samford posted an 18-7 advantage in total shots, including a 9-2 margin in the second half, and finished with a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.
 
The Paladins, unbeaten in six straight matches, return to action on Sunday afternoon when they face the UNC Greensboro Spartans in Greensboro, N.C.