McFarland save in the 89th minute spoils Villanova winner

Middletown, Del. native and Penn Fusion Academy grad Sarah McFarland pulled off one of the saves of the college soccer season so far with an 89th minute denial of Villanova’s Kaydee Amorosa on Thursday afternoon at Higgins Soccer Complex.

The Bucknell rookie, a Gatorade High School Player of the Year who starred at Middletown High School, made a career high 8 saves on the day to secure the clean sheet against a Villanova team that was averaging nearly 5 goals a game coming in. McFarland has started all 9 games for Bucknell and has three clean sheets.

The play of the game Thursday came just after a video review for a possible handball in the box. Avrie Nelson whipped in the cross from the left flank right to the head of Amorosa who directed it toward the goal where McFarland denied the chance.

“Villanova is a terrific team and they definitely had some chances, but we defended those chances well and Sarah was terrific when we needed her,” head coach Kelly Cook was quoted saying after the match.

Middletown, Del. native and @PennFusion_SA alum Sarah McFarland stole two points from @NovaWSoccer yesterday with this incredible save in the 89th minute. pic.twitter.com/VhqnnbCaqy

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) September 11, 2026

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

See Full Bio