When engaging in any type of sporting event, it is essential to remember that a close game can go either way: in your favor or against it.
The Binghamton University women’s soccer team learned that lesson the hard way on Sunday, dropping a 1-0 decision to the University of Maine.
The Bearcats (5-5-1, 1-2 AE) came into the game on the strength of a 1-0 win over UMBC last week, while Maine (5-2-4, 2-1 AE) rode in coming off their own 1-0 victory over Albany.
It was clear from the outset of the game that it would be a closely contested and hard-fought win for whatever team managed to come out on top. Maine began the excitement a little over six minutes into the game, when they sent a hard shot into the box that was brilliantly turned aside by Bearcats goaltender Jen McEachron.
Unable to hold onto the ball, McEachron was caught out of position as the Black Bears stared briefly at an empty net. But junior defender Nicole Montoya saved the proverbial day, sweeping in and clearing the ball out of play.
The game remained at an offensive stalemate until the 56th minute, when Maine’s Anjelica Hodgson took a cross from fellow junior Cristina Di Ielsi and beat McEachron with a header. McEachron finished the game with five saves. Maine netminder Jasmine Phillipps recorded her sixth shutout of the season, which leads the America East. Phillips also boasts the lowest goals-against-average in the conference with a 0.56 mark.
Binghamton was not without chances to score, first on a disallowed goal, which was announced to the dismay of the home crowd, and second on an offsides call in the second half that looked to be a surefire tally.
“I thought we played well enough to earn some kind of result, be it a win or a tie,” said Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan.
The Bearcats’ next contest will be one that promises to be full of action and excitement as they play Boston University on Thursday in the teams’ first nationally televised game. The Terriers were 2-0 against Binghamton last season, including a 2-0 win over them in the America East semifinals.
“Playing Boston is enough motivation without it being shown on television,” McClellan said. “But it does offer an extra incentive.”
The Terriers (7-5-1, 2-0 AE) defeated Vermont 4-0 on Sunday in their highest-scoring affair of the season. Their defensive unit held Vermont without a single shot through the entire game.
In addition to strong defenders, the Terriers are best aided by sophomore goalkeeper Janie Reilly, who is currently ranked second in the America East in both shutouts (5) and GAA (0.64).
On the offensive side of the ball, juniors Emily Pallotta and Farrell McClernon lead the team with three goals each. McClernon also ranks in the top 10 in the conference in shots, with 25.
And while giving Boston University’s squad a lot of credit, Binghamton’s coach isn’t ready to roll over and give up.
“Boston University is a good team, but they shouldn’t underestimate us,” McClellan said. “The bottom line is, we’re just going to go out and compete.”
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on the Fox Soccer Channel.