In a double-overtime showdown in which they recorded their first shutout of the season, the Binghamton University Bearcats were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities and posted a 0-0 tie against Long Island University on a warm and humid Saturday night at the Bearcat Sports Complex.

Throughout the 110 minutes of play, the Bearcats’ defensive corps, including freshman Stefani Knopick and sophomore Nicole Montoya, stifled the Blackbirds’ offense, holding them to only five shots on goal. Goalie Erin Iman needed only to make one save in order to preserve the shutout. Her counterpart, Felicia Amaral, made 10 saves.

After drawing a women’s soccer record 922 fans to Tuesday’s grand opening, Saturday’s showdown drew just 329.

The Bearcats (0-6-2) registered 15 shots on goal, but the Blackbirds’ tough defense sealed the shutout. The best of these chances, by senior forward Danielle White, came on a fantastic pass from senior captain Kim Povill in the second overtime period. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, nothing came of it.

‘We were a better team, but LIU is tough,’ said head coach Jeff Leightman. ‘Their game plan was to disrupt our rhythm and they did that. That’s the game.’

White finished the game with three shots, two on goal, while senior midfielder Tricia Reed led the Bearcats with four shots, all on goal. The Blackbirds took five total shots with only one on target. White, Reed and Povill are tied for the team lead with four points apiece.

Leightman was also quick to look toward the future, which includes a game against New Jersey Tech (0-6) tonight before beginning conference play Sunday versus New Hampshire. The game against NJ Tech will be the first between the two since Tech made the jump to Division I. The Highlanders are coming off a 1-0 loss at Longwood in the first match ever played in the United States Soccer Conference. The Highlanders did play LIU in the first game of the season and fell 1-0. Only one NJ Tech player, Christi Taylor, has scored a goal all season, two weeks ago in the Highlanders overtime loss to Albany.

‘It’s not your last game, it’s your next game that you have to be focused on,’ Leightman said. ‘We’re taking a huge step toward where we want to be. We want to do damage and win the conference.’

Kick off is set for 7 p.m. tonight at the Bearcat Sports Complex.