In a match against SUNY rival Albany, the Binghamton University women’s soccer team was defeated for the first time ever by the Great Danes in a 3-1 game that snapped Albany’s 11-game losing streak to the Bearcats (2-9-2, AE 1-3).
The Bearcats faced a sizable challenge in containing freshman Teresa Boring, who came in second in points in the conference (15) and tied for first in goals (7). Boring also led the conference in shots with 47.
The Bearcats defense was able to shut the Great Danes down through the first part of the first half. Then, at 19:27, sophomore Ashley Tirabassi sent a shot off the crossbar that fell into the net behind BU keeper Erin Iman. This was Tirabassi’s first goal of the season. Later, at 48:40, Boring beat Iman low to earn her eighth goal of the season, which proved to be the game winner. The goal helped Boring pass New Hampshire’s Michelle Sheehan for the conference lead. Iman finished with six saves on 14 shots.
Binghamton cut the lead to 2-1 at 50:55 when sophomore Amanda Casares took a feed on a ball through the goal box and put it past Albany keeper Maria Liguori for her second goal of the season. Liguori, who ranked second in the conference in saves (76), finished with six on 11 Binghamton shots.
Albany (4-6-3, AE 1-3) put the game out of reach for good when freshman Caitlin Mulligan put a shot through the hands of Iman at 81:03. Junior forward Diana Barrera added two assists to raise her point total for the season to nine.
Binghamton’s dangerous scoring combination of Kim Povill (13 points) and Danielle White (10 points) was held scoreless by the Albany defense. Povill finished with four shots and White with none.
The Bearcats host Stony Brook next Thursday at the Bearcat Sports Complex. The Seawolves (6-2-4, AE 3-0-1) come in having not lost a game since Sept. 9 (2-0 to Georgetown). And while the Seawolves rank last in the conference in goals scored (9), they are tops in the conference, having allowed only six goals in 11 games. This is due in large part to America East Co-Player of the Week, goalkeeper Marisa Viola. Viola leads the conference in save percentage (.919) and in shutouts (8).
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Bearcat Sports Complex.