Five games into the season the women’s soccer seems to have picked up right where they left off last season; the 2015 SoCon champs have no plans of relinquishing their title as the 2016 campaign moves towards conference play.
Furman Women’s Soccer is coming off four straight wins, the latest being at home against North Florida Friday Sep 9, 1-0.
Furman (4-0-1) took an early lead with senior forward Carlie Couch netting in a goal at the 1:53 mark, which was her third of the season and thirtieth of her career. Senior keeper Rose Hull played 37 scoreless minutes and freshman keeper Kellsey Weaver had three saves.
After holding North Florida scoreless the Paladins tied a school for having their fifth consecutive shutout. With the victory, the Paladins home record has been nearly flawless (13-0-2).
Furman started the season at Stone Field Aug. 19 with a double overtime tie to Coastal Carolina in front of a crowd of 1,620 fans. The Paladins had 23 shot attempts, 10 of which were on goal, but could not find the back of net.
The Paladins put on a clinic against North Greenville, winning 8-0 as seven different Paladins found the back of the net along with Couch scoring twice. Furman then traveled to USC Upstate and a second half surge led to a 2-0 Paladin victory. Davidson suffered the same fate, as the Paladins beat the the Wildcats 2-0.
The Paladins won two SoCon titles in the past three years and entered the season as the number two team in preseason coaches’ poll. Furman returns seven starters from last year’s championship squad, including preseason all-conference selection Couch, who had 13 points on six goals and an assist last season for the Paladins.
Also returning for the Paladins is three-time all-conference selection red-shirt senior keeper Rose Hull, who has the fourth-best career goals-against average (0.83) in SoCon history.
The only major component not returning for the Paladins is 2016 SoCon Female Athlete of the Year and two-time SoCon Player of the Year Stephanie DeVita. Despite not having DeVita, the Paladins seem to be doing just fine so far.
Furman Women’s Soccer has a busy week ahead of them. Upcoming for the Paladins will be a Sep. 16 match against South Carolina State as well as their conference opener against Chattanooga on Sep 23, both will be played at home.
