Rock Hill, S.C. – Christian Kraus and Ivan Agyaakwah netted second half goals as Furman rallied past Winthrop, 2-1, to claim its first victory of the season Sunday evening in Rock Hill, S.C.
 
The win improved the Paladins to 1-0-1 on the season while Winthrop slipped to 0-2-0.
 
With the Paladins trailing 1-0 in the second half, freshman Wesley Siegel stole the ball in the midfield and raced forward to create a two-versus-one. He slid a pass into the path of Kraus who fired past Winthrop goalkeeper Jack Kilstrom at the 60:10 mark to level the match.
 
Furman grabbed the lead in the 73^rd minute. Lloyd Wamu Snell raced down the right flank and played the ball around his defender before sending a cross into the box that was deflected into the path of Ivan Agyaakwah. The midfielder converted from just inside the penalty spot to put the Paladins on top at the 72:38 mark.
 
Kraus was denied by Kilstrom on a breakaway in the 85^th minute and Furman's Aaron Salinas was forced to preserve the lead moments later by tipping a Winthrop shot over the bar. A scramble in the box in the final minute earned the Eagles a corner kick, but Furman cleared the final threat to earn its first win of 2024.
 
Furman managed a 17-9 advantage in total shot attempts, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. Salinas was credited with one save to earn the win in goal while Kilstrom stopped five shots for the Eagles.
 
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Winthrop broke the deadlock less than three minutes into the second half on Sam Pidgeon's first goal of the season. Bruno Riveron Sagrero served a corner kick into the middle of the box and Pidgeon, charging into the middle of the box from the far side, laced a shot into the left-hand corner at the 47:52 mark.
 
Furman's victory marked its third straight over Winthrop and 11^th in 12 all-time meetings versus the Eagles.
 
The Paladins are back in action on Friday night when they host North Greenville at Stone Stadium.