Furman holds ETSU's nationally-ranked offense in check; Bucs to host Wofford Sunday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 26, 2014) - The ETSU women's soccer team suffered just its second home setback of the season Friday night, falling to Furman, 3-0, in the Bucs' Southern Conference opener.

Stephanie DeVita scored her conference-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season for the Paladins (7-2, 1-0), leading Furman to its fourth shutout in its last five matches. DeVita scored twice on the day ('14, 36'), while Jamie Alexander accounted for the Paladins third and final goal (55').

After averaging more than four goals per game through their first nine contests, the Buccaneers (8-3, 0-1) have been held without a goal for two consecutive matches. The Bucs entered Friday's match ranking second in the nation for scoring offense (4.00).

ETSU features the nation's leading goal scorer, Hannah Short (Bristol, England), and leading assister, Jasmin Dutton (Kinmel Bay, Wales); however, the Bucs were unable to find the back of the net Friday.

Attempting to cut into Furman's 2-0 lead coming out of intermission, Dutton was inches from recording her first goal of the season in the 49th minute.

Following a Furman handball, Dutton launched a shot off a central free kick from about 25 yards out; however, Furman keeper Rose Hull made a leaping effort, deflecting the ball off the crossbar.

With the victory, the Paladins have now won six of their last seven contests, with the lone setback coming to No. 25 Georgia.

Meanwhile, ETSU has lost back-to-back contests, the program's first time losing consecutive games since Oct. 13, 2013.

Four different ETSU players recorded two shots in the contest: Garazi Murua (Getxo, Spain), Paola Roversi (Rieti, Italy), Sarah Zadrazil (St. Gilgen, Austria), and Dutton. Summer Peterson (Lorton, Va.), Emilee Engelhaupt (Charlotte, N.C.), and Short each recorded one shot.

LOOKING AHEAD

ETSU will be back in action Sunday, Sept. 28 as the Bucs continue Southern Conference competition, hosting Wofford at 4:00 p.m.

Wofford Terriers - Spartanburg, S.C.

LIVE STATS - Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m.

After starting the season with three consecutive wins, the Terriers (3-5) have suffered five straight losses, all on the road.

Wofford's matchup with ETSU Sunday will conclude a difficult seven-match road swing for the Terriers, who have not played at home since Aug. 24.

Senior midfielder Maureen Buff paces the Terriers' offense with a team-best four goals.

As of Friday, the Terriers had attempted just 63 shots this season, second fewest in the SoCon, while allowing 140 shot attempts to opponents.

Wofford ranks 11th in the nation for saves per game (7.86).

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