First half, zero goals against. Second half, zero goals against. One overtime, scoreless. Two overtimes, still scoreless. Notice Bowers’ influence?
The Binghamton University women’s soccer team could not have been so successful the past three seasons without its junior goalkeeper Kristie Bowers.
The Bearcats found themselves entering the 2005 season with the lowest preseason rank a defending champion ever received. And that didn’t sit well with Bowers.
“It was a good wake up call,” said Bowers, who posted back-to-back shutouts last year en route to the Bearcats’ first America East conference championship. “It let us know that no one was gonna cut us any slack.”
She epitomizes the spirit of this Bearcat team, which finished third in their conference this year, and was a shootout away from the conference finals. Time after time they’ve leaned on their junior goaltender to help end losing streaks and win pivotal games.
“She’s had a great season,” said head coach Jeff Leightman. “She’s been very consistent and time and time again she’s made the save that she needed to save.”
Bowers’ junior-year stats were phenomenal: eight shutouts, 0.78 goals against average, and a 9-5-3 record.
In 2004, Bowers led her team to the NCAA tournament, where the Bearcats faced perennial powerhouse Penn State.
“To me, just going to the NCAAs and playing Penn State was so huge,” she said. “Playing against a Big East team, it was an unbelievable experience.”
Even after winning the America East championship, Bowers and her team had critics. Even though the Bearcats had lost key seniors, Bowers taught the detractors a lesson.
“In the past, Kristie has shown a lack of confidence,” Leightman said. “But not this year. She’s really gained the confidence she needed this year.”
Confident or not, Bowers is just doing what she loves, playing a sport she has played since she was four. She’s living out her dream.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in college,” she added. “It’s my stress relief, it’s my fun. I love being with my team.”