Under pressure, some teams have the ability to step up and do what it takes to win, no matter how hard it seems.
On Sunday afternoon, Binghamton University’s women’s soccer team joined the list of teams that have that ability, as they defeated Vermont 1-0 to advance to the America East tournament for a fifth straight season.
“Our team keeps working and getting after it,” said Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan. “It’s definitely well-deserved that we were able to clinch a playoff spot.”
Hard work has been the name of the game this season for the Bearcats (7-8-1, 3-5 AE), as they have truly gutted out wins over conference foes UMBC, Albany and now Vermont. The Catamounts (4-13-1, 2-5-1 AE) came into the game on a hot streak, having not lost a game in two weeks, and holding a slight edge over the Bearcats in the AE standings for the final tournament spot.
The Bearcats came out strong in the first half, keeping the Vermont players off balance and firing five shots at Catamount goal keeper Eliza Bradley. However, the junior net-minder was able to keep all of the shots from getting past her and kept the game 0-0. In contrast, Binghamton’s defense was able to hold the Vermont attack without a single shot in the half, and only two overall in the game.
The score remained at 0-0 through both halves, a credit to how evenly matched the teams really were. With no clear winner after 90 minutes, the teams headed in to an overtime period.
Then, just 39 seconds into the period, Binghamton junior Amanda Casares took the ball up the field on a breakaway and fired a shot which Bradley turned aside. Sophomore backfielder Dani Raske, who had moved up to play forward, took the rebound and fired a shot, which was also saved. However, Raske got her own rebound and buried it past Bradley for the 1-0 Bearcat win. In addition to the goal, which was her seventh of the season, Raske finished with four shots, while Casares added three. Overall, the Bearcats mustered 15 shots, forcing Bradley to make six saves. Binghamton goaltender Jen McEachron made two saves in notching her sixth shutout of the season.
Raske now has 19 points for the season, tied for first place in the conference with Stony Brook’s Colleen McKenna.
The Bearcats’ first round opponent in the AE tournament will not be an easy one, as they travel to Durham to take on New Hampshire on Thursday. The Wildcats (6-10-1, 5-3 AE) defeated Binghamton, 3-2, on Sept. 28. Sophomore defender Stefani Knopick made both goals for the Bearcats in the affair, while senior forward Sara Hourihan notched two of the three Wildcat goals. Hourihan, one of New Hampshire’s more potent scoring threats, has 16 points on the season, which places her third in the conference behind McKenna and Raske. Her seven goals tie her with Raske for third in the conference. In addition, senior Michelle Sheehan has six goals, ranking her second on the team just behind Hourihan, while her 13 points also rank second.
“We are really looking forward to continuing our season and playing UNH this Thursday,” McClellan said.
The Wildcats’ defense is anchored in the goaltending duo of senior Nikki Golding and junior Ally Yost. The two have combined for a .802 save percentage and a 1.56 goals-against-average.
“We have gotten better since then, as I’m sure they have also,” McClellan said. “I feel we match up very well against UNH, and no doubt it will be a great game.”
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Lewis Fields.