BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  Samford's Caroline Smith scored on a penalty kick in the 107th minute to lift the Bulldogs to a 3-2 overtime win over Furman in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament Sunday afternoon at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
With the win, which was the 300th win for Samford head coach Todd Yelton at the school, the Bulldogs advanced to the championship game of the tournament, with Samford hosting Mercer next Sunday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field. Samford now has a record of 12-2-5 on the season. Furman ends its season with a record of 10-4-5.
 
"It took a lot of resilience today to find a way to get a win," Samford head coach Todd Yelton said. "I couldn't be prouder of my kids, and really my seniors because on days like today there has to be a bit of senior leadership and that's what they did such a fantastic job of today."
 
Becca Koenig scored the first goal of the game off an assist from Martha Bishop in the 29th minute of the game to give Samford a 1-0 lead. In the 53rd minute, Sam De Luca scored her SoCon-leading 14th goal of the season off an assist from Mamie Carman to make the score 2-0.
 
Furman got its first goal of the game when Katelyn Nixon scored off an assist from Emma Sexton in the 56th minute to cut the lead to 2-1. Furman knotted the score at 2-2 when Ellie Hermann scored off a free kick in the 72nd minute of the contest.
 
The teams went into overtime tied at 2-2. Neither team could score in the first overtime. In the second extra period, Smith netted the game winner on a penalty kick in the 107th minute, lifting Samford to the SoCon finals, 3-2.
 
For Samford in the win, Clare Nicholas had a team-high four shots. Goalkeeper Peyton Hull saved six shots in the win.
 
Furman was led by Maddie Massie with three shots. Furman goalkeeper Reese DeJong had two saves in the contest.
 
Samford will host Mercer in the SoCon Tournament championship game next Sunday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
SAM: 29th minute, Becca Koenig goal off assist from Martha Bishop
SAM: 53rd minute, Sam De Luca goal off assist from Mamie Carman
FUR: 56th minute, Katelyn Nixon goal off assist from Emma Sexton
FUR: 72nd minute, Ellie Hermann goal off free kick
SAM: 107th minute, Caroline Smith goal on penalty kick


 
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