It’s been a season of ups and downs for the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team.
After opening on its best start in program history with a 4-1 record, the team sunk into a two-game losing skid. But due to a combination of proven and dark horse players, Binghamton (5-3) stabilized itself with a 16-11 win over Siena.
The fifth victory also matches the program’s all-time record for wins in a season, set by the 2008 squad.
Led by freshman attack Brianne Arthur and freshman midfielder Callon Williams, BU’s offense conquered on the road on Thursday. Arthur, a two-time America East Rookie of the Week, tallied four goals. But Williams’ five goals, three of which came in the second half, proved the difference for the Bearcats.
“Williams was coming off an injury or two earlier in the season that held her back. But we were just waiting for her to get healthy and play at the level we know she is capable of playing at,” BU head coach Stephanie Allen said. “I was exceptionally proud of her performance today.”
The game started off competitively, allowing neither team to gain much of an edge. With 2:30 remaining in the first half and the score tied at seven, Arthur and junior attack Alex Fisher scored two late goals to put the Bearcats up, 9-7, by the halfway buzzer.
Arthur continued to torment the Saints’ defense out of the break, scoring two goals in a 30-second span to put the Bearcats up by four. Siena sophomore attack Sarah Croutier, who contributed a team-high five goals in the game, tallied back-to-back scores of her own to bring the Saints to within two goals with 20 minutes remaining.
Following sophomore attack Sophia Racciatti’s goal to put Binghamton up three, Williams made this game one to remember. Two consecutive goals widened her team’s lead to five points, giving Binghamton a comfortable cushion. Williams netted her final goal with 1:53 remaining. By then, the game was decided — Binghamton’s defense had faltered on just two of Siena’s scoring attempts in the final 13 minutes.
“Today [the team] showed a little bit more resiliency,” Allen said. “It was a bit of a balancing act today with making some adjustments. I thought our team came out and played hard and got the win in a total team effort.”
Seven different Bearcats scored: Arthur, Williams, Fisher, Racciatti, senior attack Angela Vespa, sophomore midfielder Allie Rodgers and freshman midfielder Jocelyn Penteck. Binghamton is now 4-0 when at least six different Bearcats contribute goals.
In net, Allen summoned her bench again to give the opponent a different look. Sophomore Erin McNulty played the first half, saving three of 10 shots, and junior Kara Pafumi took the second, allowing four goals on 11 shots.
Next up on the Bearcats’ schedule is a contest with Quinnipiac. The Bobcats (0-6) will be looking for their first win of this season’s campaign, while Binghamton hopes to break its program record for home wins in a season.
Play is set for noon on Sunday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.