Finding itself lagging in the final shot count for just the second time this season, the Binghamton women’s soccer team couldn’t find its winning edge Sunday against New Hampshire, losing its Homecoming match, 1-0.
With the Bearcats (5-9-2, 1-3-2 America East) now commanding just five points in the conference after falling to the fifth-place Wildcats (5-8-2, 2-2-2 AE), they will need to secure their next two conference matchups to have a chance at the America East playoffs later in the month.
“We didn’t get it clicking in the attack [on Sunday],” Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan said. “We were passing the ball more than we were going to goal. It’s one of those things where we were just a little bit out of it.”
Play was even between the two squads in the opening minutes, with both tallying two shots in first the ten. But the Wildcats offense wouldn’t take long to gain an advantage: In the 27th minute, senior midfielder Caroline Murray deflected a defensive clear and sent the ball into the lower corner of the net, beating senior keeper Gaby Gold. That goal was the first Gold has allowed in six games.
The Bearcats attempted to fight their way onto the scoreboard – but being outshot by UNH, 6-2, through the remainder of the game, BU’s potent offense was extinguished by the Wildcats.
“I just think we have to be focused on each game individually,” McClellan said. “We’ve got to recover our legs. This was not our best performance. We’ve got to put it behind us and know that we have a really good shot at extending the season.”
But Sunday wasn’t all bad for Binghamton.
Also their senior day, the Bearcats paid homage to their senior players; goalkeepers Gold and Alyssa Gutierrez, back Connie Gormley and midfielder Emily Nuss. The four walked out onto their home field before the game as they were introduced along with their families.
“They’re really just amazing people,” McClellan said. “They’ve got strong character and have put a lot of energy, work rate and commitment into the program for all four years. It’s been a privilege to work with them.”
Unfortunately, Gormley was unable to suit up for what might have been her final game with BU after suffering an injury during Thursday’s match.
“It was tough not to have her on the back line and tough not to have her energy on the field,” McClellan said. “But she handles adversity well and will continue to help us on the sidelines and instruct our backline.”
In addition to honoring the seniors, BU’s homecoming weekend also brought a ten-year reunion of the members of the 2004 Binghamton women’s soccer team. During that season, the Bearcats took both the regular season and tournament championships in the America East. The group was honored on the field at halftime to a rousing ovation from the crowd.
“It’s really exciting and thrilling to have them on campus again,” McClellan said. “The accomplishments and fighting spirit they had as players, to get to the championship and win it is something that we want to continue in our program and have our players experience that as well.”
Former defender Meghan Taylor – who is best known for scoring the 2004 America East Championship game winner off a penalty kick against Maine – was one of those in attendance at Sunday’s match.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 10 years,” Taylor said. “It’s crazy. It was awesome with all of us being together again. […] We’ve all just stayed so close because that was what we were.”
The Bearcats are set to hit the road for their final two games of the regular season, facing Vermont first, on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Virtue Field in Burlington.