The UMBC women’s soccer team has posed little threat to the Bearcats in past years and this year was no different. In an away game Thursday evening at the UMBC Soccer Stadium, senior Stefani Knopick scored two goals in the first half, securing a 2-1 Binghamton University win over the Retrievers.
With the win, the squad has accumulated a 2-2-1 record in America East Conference play. The win was crucial to advance their place before the postseason.
‘I’m really proud of our team for coming together, gritting it out and finishing the game. It was a must-win and we got it done,’ Knopick said after the game.
The Binghamton offense attacked early with Knopick finding the net in the first two minutes off a pass from sophomore Jamie Holliday. Two minutes later, Knopick struck again, firing past UMBC keeper Lauren Kadet. Sophomore Sarah Furminger was credited with her team-high third assist of the season.
With Binghamton holding a 2-0 lead after four minutes of play, the Retrievers did not put their heads down. Outshooting the Bearcats in the first period with 11 shots to BU’s nine, UMBC midfielder Nicole Clark connected with an unassisted goal in the 11th minute. That was as close as either team would come to scoring another goal, however, as Binghamton keeper Carrie Martin would save every shot sent her way for the rest of the game.
Like Martin, Kadet prevented the damage from getting worse. Not one of the remaining 14 Bearcat attempts found the back of the net.
Not to go unnoticed in the victory, the Binghamton defense took control. Despite scoring only once, the Retrievers took a total of 16 shots throughout the game and held the advantage in corner kicks. With four opportunities from the corner, to the Bearcats’ one, UMBC simply could not capitalize.
With three more conference games to go, the win slipped the Bearcats into the sixth and final spot for the playoffs. Next up for BU, however, is a rematch of last year’s championship game as they face first-place Boston University, a crucial test for the Bearcats. Boston is unbeaten in five conference games thus far this year.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
‘ Jaki Goldner contributed to this report