It has become painfully evident to opposing teams why Chico State women’s soccer goalkeeper Brianna Furner wears the number “0” – that’s about how many scores she’s given up lately. Having already delivered a sterling freshman season, Furner rose even higher last weekend during the NCAA Championship Tournament, shutting out both Cal State L.A. and Abilene Christian to help the ’Cats reach the Final Four for the first time in the program’s history. Furner is not about to come away empty for her efforts – she is the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Chico State, ranked fifth in the West Region, reached the finals by beating No. 4 Cal State Stanislaus Nov. 11 and top-seeded UC San Diego on Nov. 13. Friday against No. 2 Cal State L.A., Furner made three saves while shutting out the Golden Eagles through regulation and two overtime periods. She then knocked down Cal State L.A.’s final two penalty kicks, allowing her Chico State teammates to take the match 4-3 in penalty kicks to win the West Region title.
“Bri(anna) just made it look kind of easy today, just catching things and being in the right spot,” said Chico State Head Coach Kim Sutton following the match. “She’s had other moments this season where maybe it wasn’t her best day. But she fought back. I think that’s part of the reason this team loves her so much.”
Sunday the Wildcats faced South Central Region champion Abilene Christian for the right to advance to the Final Four, and Furner again turned in a superlative effort, making an early 1-0 lead stand up with six total saves as Chico State advanced with its fourth straight NCAA Tournament victory.
Sunday’s shutout was Furner’s 10th of the season and third in a row. Only Nicole Adams (1992) and Kari Gonzales (2006) have registered more shutouts in a single season for the Wildcats. It was the first time Abilene Christian has been shut out this season. So far in the NCAA Championship Tournament, she has allowed just one opposing goal in 400 minutes of play.
Chico State now moves on to the NCAA Championship Tournament semifinals in Pensacola, Fla., where the Wildcats will take on Grand Valley State Dec. 1. The winner will play Dec. 3 for the national championship.
