GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Following its 2-0 victory over the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the first round of the 2007 Southern Conference Tournament on Sunday, the fourth-seeded Elon Phoenix men's soccer squad will now take on the top-seeded, and 22nd-ranked, Furman Paladins in the semifinals on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. from UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. This is Elon's second trip to the semis in three years under head coach Darren Powell.
During the regular season, the Phoenix dropped a 2-1 decision at Furman. In that game, Elon took a 1-0 lead on a Douglas Boateng goal just before the half only to see the Paladins even the score at 1-1 less than four minutes into the second period. Patrick Murray netted the game-winner with just 5:38 left in regulation.
Elon is 2-5-1 all-time against Furman after the earlier loss this year. The Phoenix knocked off the Paladins by a 2-1 score last season.
Elon is led by senior Brett Paschall and sophomore Justin Wyatt, both First Team All-SoCon selections this year. The duo has combined for 15 goals and nine assists for 39 points. Freshman Clint Irwin, a Second Team All-SoCon pick, has logged 1100 minutes in goal, has 33 saves and a GAA of 1.06.
Nationally, Elon ranks 44th of 202 NCAA Division I teams in scoring offense (1.61 goals per game), 61st in team GAA (0.94) and 50th in shutout percentage (0.39). Individually, Paschall sits 71st in points per game (1.11) while Wyatt ranks 66th in goals per game (0.44).
-- ELON --
