Furminger’s goal lifts women’s soccer to victory

Sophomore forward Sarah Furminger launched a 26-yard shot that banked in off the far post with 9:54 remaining to lift Binghamton women’s soccer (3-7, 1-0 AE) to a 1-0 victory over visiting Maine (4-3, 0-0 AE) in the America East opener for both teams Sept. 25, at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

Furminger took advantage of some free space toward the top of the box and struck a right-footed rocket off the post and into the lower right corner for her team-high third goal of the season.

Freshman keeper Carrie Martin preserved the shutout win with a dramatic save in the final two minutes. Martin got her hands on a shot from Maine midfielder Maddie Hill with 1:16 to play, deflecting it off the cross bar before scrambling to her feet to retrieve the rebound.

“It was a hard-fought, competitive match,” head coach Sarah McClellan said. “Our team brought the energy and competitive spirit and we couldn’t be more proud of how they battled, hung in there and figured out a way to win.”

The shots were an even 12-12 for the game. Martin made five saves for her second shutout of the season.

The Bearcats nearly scored 18:15 into the contest when Furminger fed junior forward AnnMarie Rizzi, who broke in alone on Maine keeper Meagan Price-Leibenzeder. But the sophomore stopper blocked Rizzi’s shot from point-blank range. Freshman midfielder Kaitlyn Cook also just missed an opportunity from the left side midway through the second half as the Bearcats continued to control play leading up to Furminger’s game-winner.

Junior midfielder Mary DeWitte and Maine’s Kelsey Wilson were named the America East Players of the Game.

“Mary played the entire game and ran her heart out and worked very hard, winning balls and playing them forward,” McClellan said.