With two overtime thrillers, the women’s soccer season here at Binghamton got off to a familiar start at the Akron Westfield Cup.

Last season the Bearcats (0-1-1) went 1-0-1 over their first two games with a 0-0 double overtime tie at Iona and a 1-0 victory hosting LIU. This season kept the trend of giving the fans on hand more soccer than they intended alive with a 1-1 double overtime tie at Akron; the tides turned with the 0-1 lose hosting Northeastern. There was plenty to be proud of, plenty to be optimistic about, graciously given to us by coach Jeff Leightman’s players over the end of August, beginning of September weekend.

It was a weekend that saw sophomore goalkeeper Erin Iman continue to prove herself as the favorite to fill the void left by the loss of the graduated Kristie Bowers. Iman recorded 10 saves and a 0.80 goals against average through the course of her 224 minutes of play. With three keepers on roster, Iman’s play has merited her the early advantage in what should be a year-long position battle between fellow sophomore keeper Jen McEachron, freshman Lauren Zambelli and herself. With the continued suspect scoring from our Binghamton offense, this trio will have to be at the top of their games to live up to the team’s true potential.

The Bearcats are looking to pick up at least their first tally in the win column this weekend during the Niagara Falls Classic. Coach Leightman’s women will be matched up against the fellow 0-1-1 Buffalo Bulls at 1 p.m. today and the Niagara University Purple Eagles (1-1-0), a 2006 NCAA tournament team, on Sunday, also at 1 p.m.