Despite the Binghamton women’s soccer team’s valiant efforts at Stony Brook on Sunday — through which the team scored a 90th-minute goal to stay in contention and force overtime — an SBU score with 2:36 remaining in the second overtime period doomed the Bearcats (5-8-1, 1-2-1 America East) to their second-straight conference loss.
This season’s theme of missed opportunities continued to make itself evident in the shot advantage the Bearcats held: 27-13. Sophomore midfielder Katie O’Neill and junior midfielder Katherine Corcoran spearheaded the effort, contributing 11 and eight shots, respectively, and combining for nine of the 11 shots on goal.
“I think we played pretty well, really did a great job to come from behind,” BU head coach Sarah McClellan said. “I just think this game shows how close I think every conference game is going to be.”
Binghamton displayed its offensive prowess from the get-go, tallying four shots in the opening nine minutes. By the half’s end, BU held a 12-7 shot advantage, with eight belonging to O’Neill. However, the Bearcats — who tallied most of their shots from outside of the 18-yard box — struggled to convert, and both teams headed into the locker room with nothing to show for their efforts.
The second 45 looked to be more of the same, with six consecutive missed shots by the Bearcats. But Stony Brook sophomore forward Leah Yurko broke through the stalemate, scoring in the 64th minute on the Seawolves’ first shot of the half.
Looking to answer, Binghamton played a more conservative offensive game, tallying only three shots between the 64th and 90th minutes with four substitutions in that span. BU’s search for the perfect scoring opportunity was rewarded with 17 seconds remaining in regulation, when junior midfielder Rebecca Raber fired a shot from 30 yards out into the top corner of the net. The goal, which was her first of the season, tied the game, 1-1, and sent the teams into overtime.
Through one scoreless first period and a slow opening to a second, it looked as if Binghamton’s defense would continue to block the Seawolves and force a draw, especially after an early save by freshman keeper Katie Hatziyianis. On the offensive end, Corcoran peppered the Stony Brook goal with a pair of late shots, both of which were saved by senior keeper Ashley Castanio. But the Seawolves emerged victorious when junior Regan Bosnyak scored on a headed goal off of a cross in the 108th minute.
Dropping to 0-2 on the road in conference play, with both games decided by just one goal in the final minutes, the Bearcats are seeing just how competitive the AE will be in 2014.
“These past two games being so close and on the road, it just goes to show how close the conference is going to be,” McClellan said. “Every game is going to be a battle on any day.”
The next battle for the Bearcats is scheduled for Thursday, when they will host the second-place Great Danes. Already four games through its eight-game conference slate, Binghamton will look to continue to improve against an Albany team that has thus far outscored its conference competition, 12-5.
“I think we can be better in just about every area on the field,” McClellan said. “Heading in to a week at home is going to be kind of a time for us to get our legs back and sleep in our own beds and play in a comfortable place, but also try to show and prove in every single area of the field.”
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.