WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – A cross from the end line by senior Chanel Johnson deflected off a Binghamton defender and into the goal with two seconds remaining, leading to a 1-0 shutout for the University of Hartford women's soccer team. Hartford improves to 7-2-3 overall and remains unbeaten in America East play with a 3-0-0 tally.

Hartford finished the game with seven of their 10 overall shots on target, forcing the Bearcats combination of keepers to make six total saves before Johnson broke through in the final seconds. Of the seven shots on goal, Johnson registered three while junior midfielder Sidney Spremullo forced Binghamton's keepers to make a pair of saves.

Overall, Binghamton finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots, just the second time in 2014 that Hartford has been outshot by an opponent. For the year, Hartford owns a 177-116 advantage in shots.

Sophomore keeper Jessica Jurg finished the game with three saves, registering her second shutout of the season, both of which have come against America East opposition. Jurg has not lost a game in her five starts this season, currently 5-0-0 overall.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

·        A late push which began as a throw in from sophomore defender Caitlin Smallfield led Hartford to its second shutout in America East play as senior forward Chanel Johnson had a cross deflect off a Binghamton defender and into the back of the net with two seconds remaining in regulation. Johnson's goal is her 11th of the season and also her sixth game-winning tally. The New London, Conn. native entered Thursday afternoon's game fourth in the nation in game-winning scores.

·        Hartford finished the game with seven total shots on goal with the Bearcats combination of keepers protecting the net six times previous to the goal. Hartford's keeper, sophomore Jessica Jurg, finished with three saves, earning her second shutout of the season, both of which have come in league play.

·        The Bearcats best shot at scoring came early in the opening half when Katie O'Neill redirected a corner kick with her header attempt punched up and over the crossbar by an outstretched Jurg, protecting the early stalemate.

·        Hartford had its best scoring change in the first 45 minutes come from junior midfielder Sidney Spremullo as she blasted a shot on the Bearcats charging keeper, Gaby Gold, who made a kick save to end the threat. Overall, three of the Hawks five first half attempts were marked on goal and forced Gold to protect her net.  

·        In the second half, Spremullo looked to strike in the 62nd minute when she fired a low line drive off a free kick opportunity from less than a yard outside of the 18-yard box. Her shot was deflected off target by the Bearcats keeper, Katie Hatziyianis, as she dove to her right.

·        The Hawks continued the second half surge in the 84th minute as Smallfield began what looked to be a forward pass but instead blasted a shot straight away at the goal with Hatziyianis making the basket catch to keep the game scoreless.
 

GOALS RUNDOWN 

·        Senior Chanel Johnson scored her team-leading 11th goal of the season with two seconds showing on the game clock to give Hartford its second shutout in America East play. The New London, Conn., native headed forward a long throw in from sophomore Caitlin Smallfield. After a couple dribbles forward, the senior attempted to pass across the end line but her cross deflected off a Binghamton defender and found the back of the net.
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

·        Senior forward Chanel Johnson's goal was her team- and league-leading sixth game-winning tally of the year. She entered the game fourth overall in the country in game-winning goals.

·        Hartford opens league play with a perfect 3-0 record for the first time since the 2012 season when they began the conference regular season winning their first five matches.

·        Binghamton finished the game with an overall shot advantage of 11-10, marking just the second time in 2014 that an opponent has outshot the Hawks. Despite being outshot, Hartford finished with a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.

·        Sophomore keeper Jessica Jurg collected three saves to earn her second shutout of the season, both of which have come in America East games. In five starts, Jurg remains unbeaten with a 5-0 record.

·        The 1-0 victory over Binghamton represents the fifth-straight win over the Bearcats with all five recorded as shutouts. The last time Binghamton scored against Hartford came in 2009.
 

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less) 

·        Hartford remains undefeated in @AmericaEast action, shutting out their second league opponent Binghamton 1-0.

·        Senior Chanel Johnson (@Chanel5Johnson) scored her team and league leading sixth game-winning goal of the season.

·        Hartford has shutout Binghamton in each of the last five match-ups, not allowing the Bearcats to score a goal since 2009.

·        Sophomore keeper Jessica Jurg remains unbeaten in her five starts in 2014, while this is her second shutout of a league opponent.

·        Hartford finished the game with seven of their 10 shots marked on goal forcing the Bearcats two keepers to make six saves.
 

UP NEXT
The Hawks travel to Durham, N.H. for their first road match of conference play against the New Hampshire Wildcats. Hartford and UNH are scheduled for a 2 p.m. opening kickoff on Sunday, October 12 at Memorial Field.