via Stetson press release – photo by Steve Simoneau   Stetson and Furman battled until literally the final second, but the Hatters ended up on the wrong end of a 15-14 score as the Paladins emerged victorious, Saturday in Greenville, S.C. The Hatters (2-8) squandered leads of 6-1, 7-2 and 8-3, however they found themselves in position to send the game to overtime when Maddie Holvey was awarded a free position shot with one second to play. But her attempt was saved by Furman goalie Courtney Baker, sending the Paladins (2-8) to victory and the Hatters home in frustration. Holvey’s chance was set up when Hatters’ goalie Liza Diamond stopped a Furman shot with less than a minute play as the Paladins were making a push to put the game out of reach. Diamond finished with eight saves. Stetson jumped all over the Paladins early, scoring the game’s first three goals and six of the first seven for a 6-1 lead with 14:57 left in the first half. After the Hatters gained an 8-3 lead, Furman ripped off three straight goals for an 8-6 lead but the Hatters scored three of the next four goals and led 11-7 at halftime. Furman dominated the second half, scoring eight goals while limiting the Hatters to just three scores. The Paladins scored four of the first five goals to get within 12-11. Karli Maguire pushed Stetson’s lead back to two with a goal at 15:15 to make it a 13-11 affair. Furman eventually tied the game at 13-13 with consecutive goals by Abby Shields and Leah Nonnenmann. Karli Maguirebriefly gave Stetson the lead back when her fourth goal of the game made it 14-13 with 7:18 to play, but the Paladins kept the Hatters off the scoreboard from there and completed the rally with goals by Shields and Hannah Demis in the final 6:55 to secure the win. Sandra Stephan led the Hatters with five goals, while Maguire finished with four. Holvey won eight draws and Taylor Patrizi added four. Stetson returns to action when the Hatters visit Coastal Carolina, Thursday, April 5 in Conway, S.C. About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University’s Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.