Sometimes events in the past can be seen in a negative light while other times they can be a source of inspiration to repeat the event.
The Binghamton University women’s soccer team will look to do the latter on Sunday when they head up north to face the University of Vermont.
The Bearcats (6-8-1, 2-5 AE), who currently sit in seventh place in the America East, directly behind Vermont, will look to repeat the 4-2 win they recorded over the Catamounts (4-12-1, 2-4-1 AE) last season. Current Binghamton junior Amanda Casares had one shot in the win, while sophomores Stefani Knopick and Casey Pedersen notched two apiece. Vermont’s then sophomore Carson Laderoute scored both goals for the Catamounts. Now a junior, Laderoute leads the team with five goals.
Despite its record, Vermont plays a tough style of soccer, with tight defense and good goaltending.
The two teams are fairly evenly matched statistically, with the Bearcats ranked fourth in the conference in points (53) and overall goals (18). Vermont is ranked fifth in the categories with 43 points and 17 goals. The two teams also draw the most fans in the America East to their games, with Binghamton averaging 354 per game, while the Catamounts average 336 people.
In terms of offense, Laderoute leads the way for the Catamounts, as she leads the team in both goals (5) and points (10). Her goal total puts her in seventh place in the conference, while Binghamton’s Dani Raske is tied for third place as her six goals rank only behind Hartford’s Lauren Aldred (8) and New Hampshire’s Sara Hourihan (7). In addition, senior midfielder Lexi Kaknes was named America East Co-Player of the Week along with Boston University’s Farrell McClernon. Kaknes received the honor due in large part to her five-point performance in Vermont’s 5-0 victory over UMBC last Thursday. Her two goals were her first of the season, and the five-goal output by the Catamounts is the most in the conference since 2005.
Defensively, it all starts with netminder Eliza Bradley for Vermont. The junior, who made seven saves on 18 Bearcat shots in the 4-2 defeat last season, is currently ranked seventh in the conference in GAA (1.71). Binghamton’s Jennifer McEachron is currently ranked fourth in the category with a GAA of 1.25. Bradley also trails only Stony Brook University’s Marisa Viola’s 94 saves with 86 saves of her own.
The Bearcats can tie the Catamounts for sixth place in the division with a win over them on Sunday.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Centennial Field.