It took a while, but it looks like the Bearcats are finally clicking, and with conference play just around the corner, it could not have happened at a better time.
The Binghamton women’s soccer team ended its non-conference schedule on a high note, defeating Canisius 1-0 Thursday at West Gym Field. Four minutes into the game, BU junior midfielder Tricia Reed nailed a rebound past Canisius senior goalie Jenna Gage to score what would be the only goal of the game. Reed however, was just following the game plan.
“Before the game we actually talked about coming out there, scoring a goal in the first five minutes, and just taking it to them,” Reed said.
Reed’s goal would be the only one, but Canisius (2-7) did not make it easy for the Bearcats (3-4-2). Senior goalie Kristie Bowers had her work cut out for her all night, facing 13 shots and making seven saves en route to her second solo shut out of the season, and the team’s third shut out in four games.
“Team organization was a pretty big key today,” Bowers said. “Their two strikers up top were very active. They were the key players to shut down going into today, so we just tried to stay organized and keep them off balance.”
Bowers would be tested all day long, especially late in the second half when Canisius got two of its best scoring chances. With eight minutes to go in regulation, Canisius’ freshman midfielder Sylvia Kowalski drilled a kick over a wall of defenders and right at Bowers. Bowers stood her ground, made the stop and then cleared the ball, ending the threat.
The Golden Griffs would attempt to strike again with less than two minutes to go in the game when Blair Spouse got a corner kick from the east corner of the field. Spouse drilled the ball across and through the crowd of players, where Bowers stepped forward and calmly punched the ball away from the fray.
“I was just thinking, ‘Get the ball out of here,’” Bowers said. “There [were] only a couple of minutes left, I just wanted to get the shut out and get the win for my team. I knew I had to do my part in the last few minutes and finish it.”
Almost every time a Canisius player went to shoot or pass, she was met by a Binghamton player. It seemed everywhere the Griffs looked, there was a white jersey ready to intercept the ball. The Bearcats’ desire to go into conference play with a win was evident throughout.
“This game was really important for us,” said assistant coach Sarah McClellan. “We were committed to working hard for each other today and playing for the full 90 minutes. We need to build on this and continue to work for each other going into conference play.”
The Griffs outshot the Bearcats 13-8 on the night, but the Bearcats created just as many chances, they were simply unable to complete them and got shots off.
“We created a lot of chances, our flank players did a good job, sometimes just the final shot is missing; that’s something we need to build on for conference play,” McClellan said.
Head coach Jeff Leightman missed the game, as he was attending to family issues.
The win is the Bearcats third in the last four games and extends their home unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2), dating back to Sept. 29 of last season.
The Bearcats return home on Sunday, Oct. 1, after two non-conference road games, for their conference home opener against Albany.
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The quest for a second America East title in three years begins Sunday for the Binghamton women’s soccer team, when it hits the road to take on the Vermont Catamounts (1-5-1).
The Catamounts have struggled thus far this season, but have faced a rigorous non-conference schedule against the likes of Virginia and George Washington. They come into conference play with the worst record in the America East and have been outscored 16-4, though that stat is misleading because of a 6-0 blowout at the hands of ACC foe Virginia.
The Bearcats will be looking for revenge, as the Catamounts are the last team to defeat BU at home, downing them 2-0 almost a year ago at West Gym Field. This will be the first time the teams have squared off since then, so expect revenge to be on the minds of the Bearcats.
The game marks the first America East showdown of the season for both teams, and both teams know that this is when the record truly counts and everything else that has happened was just a warm up.
The Bearcats are hitting their stride lately and playing as a team, things essential for success in conference play.
“We just have to keep coming out and playing with heart,” junior midfielder Tricia Reed said.