Sudhana Bajracharya/Contributing Photographer
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Win and loss records are never indicative of how a team performs when on the field. Hard work and determination can often be compromised by flukes and misfortune.

On Wednesday night, Binghamton University’s women’s soccer team took the field against Rider. Binghamton (4-1-1) boasted the better record by far over the Broncs (1-5-2) — yet the game was so evenly matched through 90 minutes that two overtime periods were needed as well — only to have the game end in a 1-1 tie.

Rider came onto the field hoping to prove that they were far better than their record would indicate. Through the first half of play they dominated the attack, forcing Bearcats goaltender Jen McEachron to make three saves in the half.

The game score remained at zero until the 56th minute, when junior Broncs midfielder Natalie Sica collected a loose ball outside the penalty box and kicked an 18-yard shot to the upper right corner past McEachron.

“All we needed to do was get into our rhythm,” said Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan. “We needed to win the ball and keep possession.”

And they did just that in the 72nd minute. Junior forward Emily Cirillo banged in a cross from sophomore forward Dani Raske. Raske, who started the game as a defender, was moved to forward later in the game, and the tempo picked up immediately.

“She’s an all-around player,” McClellan said. “We need to use her to play where she fits. Sometimes we need her to clear ball off the line, sometimes we need her to attack.”

Raske, who scored three goals in the Bearcats’ match against Iona last Friday, was named America East Player of the Week on Monday, and followed that performance with the assist on Crillo’s goal and a team-high four shots in this contest. She now leads the team with eight points.

“I think under the circumstances it could have gone either way,” Raske said. “With the heart we showed, maybe we deserved a win.”

The Bearcats were kept at bay for most of the game due to phenomenal play by Broncs netminder Alex Post. Post, a sophomore, played a very aggressive game, making three saves on nine Binghamton shots. For the Bearcats, McEachron made eight saves on 10 Rider shots and boasts a 0.47 GAA, which puts her among the leaders in that category in the America East Conference.

And though Rider kept the Bearcats off balance at times, Binghamton was always able to rebound and strike back with equal or greater tenacity.

“It was the gutsiest performance I’ve seen the players play,” McClellan said. “They played for each other. That’s all I can ask”

Binghamton next heads to Syracuse this Sunday for an afternoon game. The Orange (2-3-1) are coming off a 2-0 victory over Colgate this past Sunday, and will play a home game versus St. John’s today before welcoming the Bearcats this Sunday. Sophomore forward Megan Bellingham, a Binghamton native, leads the team with 29 shots. She also ranks first in the Big East conference in goals (5), and fifth in points (10). Junior goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan ranks in the top 10 in the conference in saves (17), and is fourth in the conference in shutouts (2).

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium.