Oct. 9, 2011

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. - For the second season in a row, the Samford University soccer team used a golden goal to defeat Southern Conference-rival Furman in thrilling fashion. Last year, the Bulldogs' Sarah Wilkinson registered the game-winner in Birmingham, Ala., while sophomore Trine Taule scored this season's decisive goal Sunday in the fifth minute of double overtime to give Samford a 2-1 triumph.

Taule's golden goal was scored exactly five minutes into the final overtime period and was assisted by senior Adrianne Mancino. On the decisive goal, Mancino sent a cross into the box and Taule skied high over a pair of defenders to head home the score. The goal was Taule's second of the season.

"Trine is a quality player for us and she scored an awesome goal in overtime," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "She's scored a couple of key goals for us lately and I really think that her confidence is continuing to grow. Trine plays a big role on our team and she was huge for us in both of the overtime periods today."

With Sunday's sudden-victory win, Samford (6-5-2, 4-0-2 SoCon) remained undefeated in conference play this season and moved to 4-0 against Furman (8-6-1, 3-2-1 SoCon) in the all-time series between the teams. The Bulldogs have not been defeated in the 2011 campaign since a hard-fought 2-0 loss at Vanderbilt on Sept. 18.

"This was a huge win for us and it's always a difficult match when we play Furman," Yelton said. "Furman is a very good team and they made it tough for us. Andrew (Burr, Furman head coach) always has his team ready to play and they came out strong and scored their early goal. I have to give our team credit for fighting all the way back and especially by getting the win in overtime."

Since losing at Vanderbilt, Samford has rattled off SoCon victories against UNCG, College of Charleston, Wofford and Furman. During the stretch, the Bulldogs have also battled to draws with Elon and The Citadel.

Sunday marked Samford's fourth overtime match in its previous six outings. So far this season, the Bulldogs have accumulated a 2-0-2 record when playing extra time.

"We've played a lot of overtime matches recently, but I think that's because we've faced a lot of teams in our conference," said Yelton. "I believe this is one of the best soccer conferences in the nation and there are no easy games. Today, we played another tough team in Furman and I'm extremely proud of our players for battling for the win."

Furman got on the board first Sunday with a quick goal in the third minute of play. On the score, which gave the Paladins an early 1-0 advantage, Rachel Shelnutt converted a penalty kick, which was awarded after a Bulldogs' player committed a foul in the box. Shelnutt's goal was her team-high ninth of the 2011 season.

Less than six minutes after Furman's early goal, Samford's Wilkinson answered with her sixth goal of the season as she equalized the score of the match at 1-1. On Wilkinson's score, the Bulldogs' fiery senior forward from Euless, Texas, sent in a low line-drive from the left flank that beat Furman goalkeeper Jessica Smith. Wilkinson's goal was assisted by Taule.

"The most impressive thing about Wilkinson's goal is that it was scored off a series of quick passes all the way down the field," said Yelton. "Sarah is the emotional leader of our team and she helped will that goal in the back of the net to tie the score of the match. I thought that she was a huge factor in us getting this win today and she played some of her best soccer of the season."

Following Wilkinson's match-tying goal at only 8:16 into Sunday's contest, neither team scored until Taule's game-winner five minutes into double overtime.

Samford's goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead finished with six crucial saves and earned her sixth victory of the 2011 season.

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs continue their three-match road swing against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium (1,000) in Boone, N.C.