Proving that an underdog can never be counted out, the Binghamton University women’s soccer team defeated the Hartford Hawks in a shootout yesterday night in Hartford to advance to the second round of the America East tournament on a penalty kick by senior Kerry O’Shaughnessy.

Binghamton (3-11-4) struck first in the game’s 17th minute when senior midfielder Tricia Reed beat Hartford goalkeeper Elizabeth Cook. After a Hartford foul, senior Kim Povill took the free kick, which was redirected to Reed by senior backfielder Katie Kerrigan. Reed then booted the ball into the left corner of the goal past Cook, who came into the game ranked fourth in the America East in save percentage (.878) and second in shutouts (8). Cook finished the game with three saves on eight shots.

The score remained at 1-0 with both teams trading the ball back and forth until the 77th minute, when Hartford’s (7-6-5) leading scorer Meagan Riemer put a hard shot on Bearcats goalie Jen McEachron. After McEachron made contact with the ball, it trickled through her hands and into the net to tie the score at one. McEachron played a very strong game in goal, finishing with four saves on 13 shots.

‘We responded very well to the goal,’ said Binghamton head coach Jeff Leightman. ‘We didn’t give up and we stayed focused.’

The score remained tied through two overtimes, where the Bearcats were outshot 5-1 but still held on to the 1-1 tie. In order to decide a winner, the game then went to the most exciting finish in sports: the shootout.

The Bearcats converted on six of their seven penalty kicks, the deciding tally notched by O’Shaughnessy. Other scorers for Binghamton included Jillian Fickbohm, Nicole Montoya, Charlotte Foster, Lorin Weidman and Kerrigan.

This marked the third time in three years that the Bearcats have gone to a shootout in the tournament. Binghamton lost in shootouts in both 2005 and 2006.

‘Penalty kicks are a feel thing,’ Leightman said. ‘The players with confidence are the ones who will succeed.’

Leightman was also quick to give credit to both his players and the opposing Hawks.

‘Both teams played their hearts out,’ he said. ‘But obviously I am very pleased that we were able to move on.’

Some of the Bearcats had been riding a good wave into this match. Earlier in the week, the America East honored several Binghamton players. Senior forward Kim Povill and sophomore midfielder Amanda Casares were named to the America East All-Conference team, while freshman Stefani Knopick was named to the All-Rookie team.

The Bearcats will next play Boston University Sunday at noon at Nickerson Field in Boston. This game will not be an easy one. The Terriers (9-6-3, AE 6-1-1) come in having not lost since Oct. 18 (1-0 vs. Hartford), and having defeated the Bearcats 2-0 this past weekend on the same field on which they will play this Sunday.

Boston University boasts a virtually impenetrable goalkeeper in senior Christina Reuter. Reuter is among the top two in the conference in most goalkeeping statistics, including shutouts (4), save percentage (.901) and goals against average (.57), and was named America East Goalkeeper of the Year on Wednesday. The Terrier defense also includes America East Defender of the Year sophomore Casey Brown. On offense, Marisha Schumacher-Hodge leads the team with 12 points and was named to the America East All-Conference team.