Megan Brockett: The preseason poll picked you guys to finish in eighth in the America East this year. What’re your thoughts on that?
Sarah Furminger: I mean, we don’t really focus on that. We have a goal in mind, and that’s what we’re focusing on.
MB: What would you say that goal is?
SF: To win the championship.
MB: You grew up right here in Vestal. Have you always wanted to play soccer at Binghamton [University]?
SF: [Yes.] I’ve been coached by Sarah [McClellan] for a while so it’s been an interest of mine.
MB: You did a year at BCC before coming to Binghamton, and your team won a nation title. What was that experience like?
SF: It was a lot different. I played with girls I’d played with since high school so it was a good experience to go through that with them. [It was] a different level of soccer, but it was a stepping stone to come here.
MB: You’ve been named to the America East Honor Roll both of your years at BU. How do you manage to pull that off with all the work that goes into playing Division I soccer?
SF: Our coaches … stay on us about that. They have a system that works for us and it gives us time to do school and soccer, like we’ll have study hall on the bus.
MB: You’re one of 12 seniors on the roster, but you’ve emerged as a kind of leader. What does that role mean to you?
SF: Our whole thing this year was we wanted the whole senior class to be leaders, so it was just really important for the whole senior class to step up to that role.
MB: Do you think they’ve been able to do that so far?
SF: Absolutely. I think our presence is known on the field, that we’re here if anyone needs us.
MB: What would you say has changed most about your game since you were a freshman or even since your first year at BU?
SF: Just meshing with the players on the field. I have been playing with Jamie Holliday since I was in high school, but just meshing with the other players and learning their game. And the speed of play is a lot faster, so just that I guess.
MB: Do you feel kind of settled in now that you’re a senior?
SF: No, of course not. They always throw twists at us, but it’s a better feeling than being a freshman.
MB: You’re leading the team with seven points right now. What do you attribute your hot start to?
SF: I mean, the 12 seniors thing. We all came in wanting this so bad, so I would just have to say my team has pushed me.
MB: If you had to pick, what would you say has been your top point and low point of your time at Binghamton?
SF: Hopefully, winning a championship [will be my top point]. And then, least favorite? I don’t really have a least favorite. I get to come out every day with the girls that I love so I don’t think there is a downside to it, to be honest.
MB: If you had to put your entire Binghamton experience into one word, what would it be, and why?
SF: Challenging. Because we’ve had this goal since freshmen year and we’re still striving for it so it’s been a challenge, but it’s been an enjoyable challenge.