Despite another valiant effort from senior goalkeeper Sandra Alvarez, the Binghamton University’s women’s lacrosse team fell to rival Albany, 11-8 on Wednesday.
Alvarez recorded 11 saves, including seven second-half stops, against last season’s America East runner-up. She was also named America East Defensive Player of the Week for her play in the second half against Niagara last week, when she helped the Bearcats hold the Puprle Eagles scoreless in the second half for the first time in program history.
Last season Albany, which eventually lost to Boston University in the championship match, decisively defeated Binghamton 16-6. This season, Alvarez and the ever-improving Bearcats defense kept the score close in a losing effort.
“We had an excellent defensive effort tonight … we just came up short,” said first-year Binghamton head coach Tony Zostant.
The Great Danes broke the game open during an a 4-0 run at the end of the first half, which gave the Danes a 6-2 lead going into half time. Two of the goals came in the last minute of play.
The second half of play saw Binghamton outscore the Danes by one and increase their shots by nine, going from eight shots in the first half to 17 second-half attempts.
“We brought intensity the entire game,” Zosant said.
“Albany was expecting for us to come in and them embarrass us, but we’re really becoming a program,” said Bearcat junior tri-captain Kelsey Pieper.
Five of the eight goals scored by Binghamton were scored by freshmen. The young players have been carrying the team, starting with Ali Castiglie, who leads the team in points with 32. Although Castiglie has been a force to be reckoned with, Binghamton has received goals from at least four different freshmen in seven of its 13 games this season.
“They’ve developed their skills so much; they just see everything that’s going on,” said Pieper of the stellar freshmen performances.
The Bearcats’ leading goal-scorer is not a freshman, but senior captain Leanne Musso. Musso added to her team-high 21 goals with the first goal of the second half Wednesday. Musso and the other seniors, Alvarez and Kristen Marsjanik will play their last home game this Saturday against conference opponent Stony Brook.
Opening draw is set for 7 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.