It was a battle of Bobcats vs. Bearcats Tuesday afternoon at the East Gym Complex as the women’s lacrosse team hosted non-conference foe Quinnipiac. Binghamton was hoping to break a four-game losing streak, but a sloppy start for the Bearcats propelled Quinnipiac to a 12-6 victory.

The Bobcats came out firing, scoring seven goals in the first 18 minutes and putting Binghamton in an early six-goal hole.

“We didn’t come out completely ready to play,” said junior Danielle Edwards. “If it weren’t for those first couple of minutes I think the game could have had a different outcome.”

Not to be denied, Binghamton would fight back and record the next three scores to cut the deficit in half on a pair of goals by senior Lauren Wetherell and one by freshman Julia Demuth. But a late surge by Quinnipiac would bring on two more goals and send the Bearcats into halftime trailing 9-4.

Much like the first half, Quinnipiac would be the first to find the back of the net, but this time they would not look back. Late goals by Edwards and junior Heather Grose couldn’t prevent Binghamton from falling to 4-12 on the season.

Head coach Emily Edmonston knows that eliminating sloppy play early on is a key to getting back into the win column.

“It’s something that we’ve struggled with all season,” Edmonston said. “We have to react better and not put ourselves in such a big hole.”

The second half went from intense to ugly as the referees’ cards began to fly. Kara Slowik and Anna Riordan both picked up one yellow card, Demuth and Leanne Musso each picked up a pair and Nicole Rhodes was sent off on a red card. Fans that braved the rain and cold voiced their disappointment as only two cards were handed out to the visiting Bobcats.

“It didn’t seem like many of the calls were going our way,” Edwards said. “But as coach always says ‘you can’t control the uncontrollable,’ so it is something you have to play through.”

In net for Binghamton, freshman Carolyn Cuneo earned the first start of her collegiate career and collected eight saves on the afternoon.

BU will host its final game of the season tomorrow against UMBC at 4 p.m. at the East Gym Complex.

Lauren Wetherell Says Farewell

Since its inaugural season in 2002, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team has experienced the joy of victory and the sorrow of defeat. They’ve been through winning streaks, losing streaks, injuries and intense matches. And while the freshmen and sophomores are just beginning to get a feel for the young program, Lauren Wetherell has grown with it.

On Saturday, Senior Day for the women’s lacrosse team, Wetherell will be recognized in a ceremony before the game.

“It’s sad for me because we’ve become such a close knit group of girls,” said the Bethpage, N.Y., native, who will put on the home jersey for the last time this weekend. “That’s the thing I’ll miss the most.”

During her four years at Binghamton, the lone senior on the team has accumulated a laundry list of accolades. She is the school’s all-time leading scorer, with 68 goals going into this weekend’s contest against UMBC. She was also ranked nationally for ball control her first two years and for assists the past two seasons. She is currently averaging 1.64 assists per game, good for 18th in the nation.

Beyond the statbook, Wetherell’s influence can be seen in the profound impact she has had on her teammates.

“Wether [Wetherell] will be missed a lot,” said teammate Danielle Edwards. “She has a huge presence and connects with so many people on the field.”

For Wetherell, the feeling is mutual.

“The biggest thing I’ll take away are the spring breaks that we all spent together,” she said. “When you’re one of only two athletic teams that stay on campus, you become really close.”

As she prepares to play her last game as a Bearcat, Wetherell is confident about the future of the women’s lacrosse program.

“Even though we had a tough year, the team still continues to progress,” she said. “I think the expectations will continue to grow because the coaches have done a great job recruiting.”

Head coach Emily Edmonston had nothing but praise for her senior midfielder.

“She has stuck with this program all the way,” Edmonston said. “I think that perseverance and being the only senior graduating is a huge testament to her.”