Nov. 4, 2007

Box Score

BOSTON - The Boston University women's soccer team (10-6-3) advanced to America East Women's Soccer Championship title game with its 2-0 victory over Binghamton (3-12-4) on Sunday afternoon. Junior Marisha Schumacher-Hodge netted the game-winning goal and sophomore Casey Brown notched her fifth goal of the season to give the Terriers the two-goal win. The Terriers will face top-seeded New Hampshire in the championship contest in Durham, N.H., on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Schumacher-Hodge (Pittsburgh, Pa.) broke through in the 31st minute off a feed from senior Lauren Basham (Lake Oswego, Ore.). Schumacher-Hodge maneuvered around a Binghamton defender and slotted it into the far right corner, catching Binghamton goalie Jen McEachron off her line.

BU upped its lead in the 58th minute when sophomore Mara Osher (Rockville, Md.) fed a pass to an on-running Brown (Natick, Mass.), who struck a low hard shot into the near right side for the insurance tally.

BU held control of possession through the first ten minutes of play, as the back line sent dangerous balls forward with sophomore Farrell McClernon (West Chester, Pa.) and freshman Stephanie Croghan (McLean, Va.) applying pressure on McEachron. BU recorded the first shot as freshman Lina Cords (Leonardtown, Md.) sent a perfect pass to Brown, who one-timed it to the far side, but the strike went just wide. BU continued to press as Osher nearly scored one a another one-timed shot to the near right side.

BU had a golden opportunity on back-to-back shots by McClernon and Osher, however, McEachron came off her line to stifle McClernon's breakaway and on the ensuing rebound the Bearcat defense came up big when it stopped Osher's strike on the goal line. Osher continued to be a threat up top with a header that hit the cross bar.

Jennifer Herman (Oceanside, N.Y.) had a shot saved off the goal line by the Binghamton defense late in the second half. As she went rushing into the box, McEachron coming aggressively off her line and made the initial stop. The ball got loose and Herman got a shot off, but the back line was there for the team save.

Senior goalkeeper Christina Reuter (Madison, Wis.) made two stops in net for her fifth shutout of the season.

The Terriers out shot the Bearcats, 15-11, and put eight shots on goal. Binghamton held the 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

BU will face either New Hampshire or Stony Brook in the title game on Saturday, Nov. 10.