The Binghamton University women’s soccer team will head to Pennsylvania for a match with the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks tonight before returning to the Bearcats Sports Complex to host Fairleigh Dickinson University on Sunday.
In each of its victories over Delaware State University and St. Joseph’s University, Binghamton recorded nine shots on goal while its frugal defense allowed just two, neither of which hit the back of the net.
Head coach Sarah McClellan is pleased with her team’s defensive effort so far this season.
“I think we’re playing really well in the backline and our communication is good,” she said. “We’re limiting [teams’] quality opportunities, and our organization is good so we feel pretty solid with our team’s defense right now.”
Though sophomore goalkeeper Carrie Martin saved 15 of 17 shots in the Bearcats’ two losses, the offense could not score any goals on a combined nine shots.
The most recent BU loss came in overtime to St. Bonaventure University on Sunday. Despite playing to a 0-0 tie through the full 90 minutes of regulation, Binghamton allowed the game’s only goal 4:17 into the first overtime session.
Prior to the falling to St. Bonaventure, the Bearcats had begun to collect some momentum, winning back-to-back shut-out games against Delaware State and St. Joseph’s on the strength of solid offensive performances from senior midfielder Mary DeWitte, junior midfielder Brittany Walsh and sophomore forward Kaitlyn Martin.
Having come off two straight wins, the Bearcats looked as if they were getting into the swing of things. But instead of jumping ahead to an early 3-1 record, the Bearcats dropped to .500 (2-2) predominantly because of their offensive struggles, something McClellan attributes to the season’s early state.
“We’re still developing [offensively], but I think each game we’re showing signs of what we’re capable of,” she said. “That’s the more difficult side of the game, and it takes a lot of team chemistry on the field and rhythm in our attack. It’s something that we’ll develop each game we play and we’ll start to gel … each time we go out.”
Although the offensive production has been inconsistent, McClellan is happy with the state of her team. The fourth-year coach expressed confidence in the depth of her squad, a crucial factor in the Bearcats’ ability to make a run at the postseason.
“We’re really pleased with how everybody’s playing now, to be honest. The team’s really doing a good job,” she said. “We have a lot of different options at our positions and we feel pretty comfortable with everybody being able to step up.”
The Mountain Hawks, scheduled to host the Bearcats tonight, tied Seton Hall University in their only game this season. Despite taking four fewer shots on goal, Lehigh kept the Pirates close at hand thanks to freshman goalkeeper Ashley Banks’ eight saves.
Binghamton’s next opponent, Fairleigh Dickinson, struggled to find scoring opportunities in its opening game against the Rider University Broncs. However, stellar goalie play by sophomore Sage DoVale, who recorded 11 saves, allowed FDU to escape with a scoreless tie. The Knights will play University of Hartford tonight before making the trip to Binghamton for Sunday’s matchup.
McClellan said both opponents are strong, but her goal for the weekend is attainable.
“We feel like we haven’t really put out two solid performances on a weekend yet, so we’d like to be able to do that,” she said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. tonight and 1 p.m. on Sunday.