Johnson City, Tenn. – Fifth-year senior Nieva Gaither netted the lone goal of the match in the 53^rd minute and freshman Reese DeJong totaled six saves to help Furman claimed a 1-0 victory over ETSU and extend its unbeaten run to nine matches Sunday afternoon at Summers-Taylor Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn.
 
With under 38 minutes remaining in the match, Jenny Jacobson won the ball on the right side of the box off a cross from the opposite wing and laid a pass off to Gaither who fired into the left side of the net at the 52:26 mark for her third goal of the season and 20^th in 65 appearances as a Paladin.
 
Despite being outshot 14-11, Furman' back line notched its second shutout of the week. DeJong, making just her second career start in Southern Conference play, stopped all six of ETSU's shots on goal to register her second consecutive shutout and third of the year. The Huntersville, N.C., native made a crucial diving stop midway through the first half and denied the Bucs with her right glove on a shot from close range at the 80-minute mark to preserve the clean sheet.
 
"Our back line and holding midfielders did an outstanding job of staying organized and Reese continues to improve each game in goal," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "Nieva made the most of her chance. She's scored in three of our last five matches. It's great to see her finding her goal-scoring form."
 
ETSU (3-7-2, 1-3-2 SoCon) finished with a 6-4 edge in shots on goal while the Paladins compiled a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Ashton Clair took the loss for the Bucs despite stopping three shots.
 
The Paladins (7-4-3, 3-0-2 SoCon) return to Stone Soccer Stadium to host Chattanooga in SoCon play on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.