Binghamton’s Lya Kushnirovich pocketed her 71st career singles win this weekend as the Bearcats’ women’s tennis team played at the Cornell Invitational against Cornell and the University of Massachusetts. The event did not have team scoring.

Kushnirovich is now just one victory behind teammate and current all-time school wins leader Zeynep Altinay.

The Bearcats split their eight singles matches with Massachusetts. Kushnirovich defeated Masha Pozar of UMass 5-7, 6-1, 10-7 at second singles while teammate Danyelle Shapiro, at No. 5 singles, cruised by Stephanie Giminez of UMass 6-4, 6-0. Also, at first doubles Altinay and Erica Rosenblum were victorious over Massachusetts 8-6.

Shapiro was also the only successful player from Binghamton to take a match from Cornell. She defeated Catherine Dubac 6-4, 5-7, 10-6.

Kushnirovich’s 71st win puts her back in stride with Altinay for most singles wins. Coach Mike Stevens, however, has emphasized the record is not the focus for either player.

“They’re not really thinking about the record,” Stevens said. “They are trying to work hard for the team. The goals of the team are the priority.”

As exciting as this race to the top may be to those on the outside, the team’s focus and commitment is solid; staying together and playing as a team takes precedence.

When considering the team’s performance, Stevens pointed out there was still work to be done. “I saw some good things out there, and some things we need to work on,” he said. “I was glad to see us come away with a split against a tough Massachusetts team.”

Though the Bearcats did not fare well against Cornell, dropping seven matches, Stevens hopes his team learns from the experience.

“It showed us where we are at, and what needs to be fixed,” Stevens said.

The team has its final tournament of the fall season this week at the ITA Regional at Hanover in New Hampshire.