Despite four-point performances by seniors Kimberly McGeever and Kristen Stone, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team was overpowered by the offense of No. 20 UConn in a 19-8 loss on Saturday afternoon at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex in Storrs, Conn.
The Huskies (6-0), who have averaged over 11 goals per game this season, went on runs of 4-0, 4-0 and 6-1 to prevent the Bearcats (0-5) from ever controlling the game’s momentum. The loss extended BU’s season-opening skid to five straight games.
Connecticut came out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the opening seven minutes. The Bearcats responded, however, netting the next three goals, two of which came from McGeever, to pull to within a point of the Huskies. Stone and freshman midfield Allie Rodgers assisted in McGeever’s goals.
Midway through the first half, the teams would each score another two goals before UConn went on a four-goal spurt over the final nine minutes of the half to extend its lead to 10-5 by halftime.
In the second half, the Huskies picked up right where they left off, scoring two more goals in the opening 2:11 to extend their lead to seven. With goals by Stone and McGeever, the Bearcats pulled within 13-7 with 13:57 left in regulation. But Binghamton wouldn’t get any closer as the Huskies proceeded to go on a 6-1 run inside the final nine minutes of the game.
McGeever recorded her sixth career hat trick and added an assist. Stone, meanwhile, netted two goals and dished out two assists.
Despite the lopsided score, BU competed nearly identically to its ranked counterpart statistically. The Huskies managed to outshoot the Bearcats by a slim 28-26 margin and just barely edged out BU on draw controls, 15-14. UConn made nine saves in goal to Binghamton’s eight, while the Bearcats committed 17 turnovers compared to the Huskies’ 16.
Freshman goalie Erin McNulty started in the net for BU and surrendered 10 goals while recording five saves. Sophomore Kara Pafumi relieved McNulty in the second half and made three saves while allowing nine goals.
Senior midfield Katherine Hunsberger, Binghamton’s leading scorer, netted her eighth goal of the season while accumulating a team-high six draw controls in the contest. Freshman attack Marissa Rose scored the second goal of her career, and senior midfield Casey Bulman also chipped in with a score.
The Bearcats will attempt to break into the win column again on Wednesday when they are scheduled to host Siena. The two teams have squared off seven times in the past, with the Saints (1-6) controlling the all-time series 4-3. BU hasn’t beaten the Saints since 2008.
Siena, like Binghamton, is in the midst of a five-game losing streak. After starting the season 1-1, the Saints fell to their next four opponents by at least three goals before a narrow 9-8 loss at St. Bonaventure on Saturday.
Faceoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.