Charlotte, N.C. – Charlotte's Allie Metcalf converted from the penalty spot in the 78
th minute to lift the 49ers to a 2-1 victory over Furman in the women's soccer regular season opener for both schools Thursday evening at Jen Gaber Field.
With the match knotted at 1-1 and under 13 minutes remaining, Evie Craven received pass near the top of the box as she sprinted towards goal and was tripped to earn the spot kick following video review confirmation. Metcalf fired a shot towards the right side that Furman goalkeeper
Reese DeJong got a glove on but the ball deflected off the inside of the right post and into the net.
Charlotte opened the scoring in the 23
rd minute when Grace Keighley lined a cross into the box that deflected off a Paladin defender and nestled into the right-hand corner of the goal. The Paladins answered with their first score of the season in the 62
nd minute.
Riley O'Bryan poked a pass by the outstretched leg of a defender down the right flank and freshman
Marlie Nagle ran onto the ball before unleashing a right-footed shot from just inside the box for her first collegiate goal.
The 49ers finished with a 14-11 advantage in total shots and 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Each team earned five corner kicks and Furman and Charlotte were each issued three cautions over the 90 minutes.
Harlee Head stopped four shots for Charlotte in the first half before Annie Ford came on in goal for the final 45 minutes and earned the victory. DeJong recorded four saves in the Paladin loss.
Furman returns to Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, August 18, to host North Greenville in the home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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