The Binghamton women’s lacrosse team pushed its home-opener against Lehigh into double overtime on Wednesday evening before falling 11-10, its second loss in as many games.
The Bearcats (0-2) came out of the gates aggressive, jumping out to a 4-0 lead on goals from four different players.
Senior Katherine Hunsberger gave Binghamton a 1-0 lead just 23 seconds into the game after gaining control of the opening draw. Less than two minutes later, senior attack Kimberly McGeever followed suit with her first goal of the season.
Freshman attack Marissa Rose assisted McGeever’s goal, and McGeever returned the favor less than a minute later when she set up Rose for her first goal as a Bearcat. Freshman attack Sophie Racciatti also picked up her first goal in a Bearcat uniform to conclude BU’s run.
In the second half, however, the Mountain Hawks (2-1) came out firing on all cylinders. Lehigh scored five goals to Binghamton’s two in the final 25 minutes, and took its first lead of the game, 7-6, at the 20:32 mark.
From there, Hunsberger and senior midfielder Kristen Stone each scored to regain the lead for Binghamton. But Lehigh sophomore midfielder Julie McBrien converted consecutive goals to recapture control of the game with 8:14 left.
The Bearcats found themselves down 9-8 in the waning minutes of regulation. Off a dead-ball whistle, Hunsberger gained possession of the ball and assisted sophomore midfielder Renee Kiviat, who scored the game-tying goal with 11 seconds left.
In the first overtime, Binghamton captured an early lead with a goal by Hunsberger. But Lehigh scored with 26 seconds left in the session to even the game.
After a scoreless start to the second overtime, Lehigh scored again with under a minute left to clinch the victory.
“We didn’t get the results we wanted, but it’s a step in the right direction,” junior transfer Angela Vespa said. “We can come back and win in the next game.”
Hunsberger had a game-high four goals and picked up a career-high nine draw controls, tying the Binghamton single-game record.
Freshman midfielder Allie Rodgers also scored a goal, and Rodgers, Stone, Rose and Vespa chipped in with assists.
Freshman goalkeeper Erin McNulty made her first collegiate career start and made nine stops. The Bearcats won 15 of the 25 draws and were 12-for-12 in clears. Binghamton finished with 15 turnovers, compared to Lehigh’s 10.
Wednesday marked the first of three straight home games for the Bearcats, who are set to host Canisius College on Saturday.
Canisius, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, currently holds an 0-2 record. The last time these teams met, the Bearcats won 11-9.
Play is set for at 4 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.