Hall?s late strike sends Furman into SoCon title match

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Redshirt senior Martha Hall scored in the 77^th minute to lead No. 3 seed Furman to a 2-1 win over No. 7 seed College of Charleston in Friday's second semifinal game at the Southern Conference Women's Soccer Championship at Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.

With the game deadlocked at 1 and time winding down, freshman Jamie Alexander found a streaking Hall with a long pass in the midfield. Furman's lone senior raced in toward the goal, drew CofC keeper Eli Sarasola off her line, and deposited the ball into the back of the net at the far post to send the Paladins (16-3-2) into the tournament final for the 11^th time in school history and first time since 2007.

Furman will face upset-minded Georgia Southern, the No. 8 seed that has knocked off No. 1 UNCG and No. 5 Elon, in the tournament final on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3. Furman will be trying for its fifth title, while the Eagles will be looking for their first.

Hall's strike set off a frantic finish that saw College of Charleston (7-12-1) come up with several exciting chances late. In the 83^rd minute, the Cougars' Jackie Weston put a ball in the back of the net, but it was called back for an offside violation. Weston was in the mix again just minutes later when she caught keeper Rose Hull off her line and fired toward goal, but a Furman defender was there to make the stop.

The Paladins jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the match, with India Robinson sending a cross in from the left wing and Hannah Stanifer one-timing home in the seventh minute.

With six minutes remaining in the first half, SoCon Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year Stephanie DeVita hammered a shot on frame from about 20 yards out, but Sarasola made an outstanding diving grab to her right to maintain the Cougars' one-goal deficit.

College of Charleston evened the score shortly after halftime. McCallie Jones got loose on a breakaway and drew Hull off her line. Jones then slotted it home top shelf in the 49^th minute to make it a 1-1 affair.

Hull finished with two saves to pick up the win in the net on the evening, while Sarasola stopped four shots.

Furman improved to 5-0 against the Cougars all-time in the SoCon tournament. The Paladins and Eagles have split their four tournament meetings and haven't met since 2006. They have never faced each other in the title game.

2012 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship

Semifinals, Friday, Nov. 2

Birmingham, Ala.

Semifinal 1: No. 8 seed Georgia Southern 1, No. 5 seed Elon 0, 2OT

Semifinal 2: No. 3 seed Furman 2, No. 7 seed College of Charleston 1

Championship, Sunday, Nov. 4

Birmingham, Ala.

Georgia Southern vs. Furman, 1 p.m. CT (ESPN3)