Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After battling back in the second half from a one goal deficit, the Samford women's soccer defeated the Paladins of Furman University by a 4-2 final decision on Saturday afternoon to clinch the Southern Conference Championship title for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bulldogs finished undefeated in conference play with an overall record of 15-3-2, 9-0 SoCon, scoring the most goals in a SoCon Championship final since 1997 and tying the program record for most wins in a season. Samford will now turn its attention to NCAA Tournament with the selection show taking place on Monday, Nov. 8 at 3:30 central time. This marks the sixth NCAA Tournament appearance for the program under the leadership of Head Coach
Todd Yelton.
BOX SCORE (PDF)
KEY PLAYS
- It was Samford that struck first with junior Mary Raymond getting on the end of an in-swinging cross from super senior Alyssa Frazier just seven minutes into the match. Raymond tallied her eighth goal of the season with a header past Furman's goalkeeper, Addison Corn, that hit the top of the crossbar and into the net for an early 1-0 lead.
- The Paladins would not stay quiet for long with their equalizer coming at the 25th minute after Hannah Farr capitalized off a corner kick to knot the game at 1-1. Ten minutes later, Furman doubled its score with Jasmine Green making the most of a breakaway opportunity after slotting the ball into the lower right corner of the goal to put the Paladins on top 2-1 before the break.
- Mary Raymond put the Bulldogs right back in the match at the 45:52 minute mark, executing a one-touch finish to the upper left 90 off a cross from fellow teammate Taylor Yount to tie the game once again.
- Samford regained its lead 11 minutes later after sophomore defender Ella Simpson found herself unmarked on a Samford corner, heading it straight past the outstretched grasp of Corn and into the back of the net. It marked the center back's third goal of the season off set pieces alone.
- The Bulldogs would add on an insurance goal with 28 minutes left in the second half after senior Grace Sommi was brought down in the box by Furman's Nieva Gaither. Fellow senior Alyssa Frazier would step up and take the penalty kick for Samford. Frazier's initial attempt was blocked, however, she capitalized off the deflection and placed the ball into the lower left netting for a 4-2 Samford victory over the Paladins.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Both teams combined for a total of 27 shots with Samford firing off 15 compared to Furman's 12 on the afternoon.
- Samford took a 6-to-5 advantage in corner kicks with two coming in the first half and four in the second.
- The Bulldogs continued with their aggressive mindset, totaling 20 fouls and one yellow card while the Paladins registered 11 fouls of their own.
- Junior Mary Raymond tallied two goals for eight on the season, while senior Alyssa Frazier registered her seventh goal and 10th assist on the year.
- Junior Taylor Yount found her seventh assist of the season, while sophomore Ella Simpson logged third goal on the year and seventh of her career.
SOCON CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
HIGHLIGHTS
UP NEXT
The Samford women's soccer team will dance their way into the first round of NCAA Tournament with the selection show being held on Monday, Nov. 8 at 3:30 PM CT.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford women's soccer, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at
SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at
/SamfordSports (Facebook),
@SamfordSoccer (Twitter), and
@SamfordSoccer (Instagram).
