Sometimes mistakes can turn a win into a loss. It can feel even worse when those mistakes are the difference between defeating a regional rival and adding another draw to an unimpressive record.

The Binghamton women’s soccer team (0-3-2) was out-hustled in the midfield by Syracuse (0-3-1) for most of a double-overtime game on Wednesday at West Gym Field, but was able to score with two minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game.

The Bearcats blew several opportunities to score and turn the draw into the season’s first win. Facing a one-goal deficit in the middle of the second half, they tried to turn up the offensive pressure. The only problem was that the team already seemed to have run out of gas.

With thirty minutes remaining in regulation, junior defender Katie Kerrigan out-maneuvered the Syracuse goalkeeper, earning an open shot from point blank range. But Kerrigan was unable to put the ball in the net as a nearby defender stopped her shot at the goal line. Minutes later, Kerrigan hit a well-timed header from close range — right into the goalie’s arms.

But Kerrigan didn’t sulk or slow down. She began to fight intensely on defense, making several key tackles against streaking Syracuse players. Her intensity did not go unnoticed. Suddenly the Bearcats, who looked flat for most of the match, began to win balls in the open field and control the midfield game.

“We didn’t let them get past us anymore,” said senior midfielder Kelly Burnham.

Just two minutes away from a defeat, Binghamton’s renewed efforts paid off. Junior forward Kim Povill buried the ball in the top left corner off a pass from senior forward Danielle White. It was Povill’s first goal of the season.

“I asked the girls, ‘Do you want to pout about the score or do you want to go out and win?’” said head coach Jeff Leightman regarding his team’s energetic final push.

Povill made an open field stop on the other end, helping to send the tied game into overtime. During regulation, Syracuse out-shot Binghamton by a margin of 21-8. The Bearcats finally out-shot the Orange 3-2 in overtime, but it was too little, too late. Neither team could score, despite a well-placed desperation shot by Syracuse forward Tessa McDougal. Binghamton senior goalie Kristie Bowers made her best stop of the day on that last shot, preserving the tie and notching a career-high 14 saves along the way.

“I’m happy with my performance and with the team energy,” Bowers said.

After dominating the first half by sheer effort, the Orange broke up two clear attempts by the Bearcat defense, and caught a break when freshman Bearcat defender Nicole Montoya committed a foul near the box. Syracuse freshman Danielle Jordan quickly took advantage of the opportunity, netting a goal with 11 seconds remaining in the half.

“We gave up a soft, really bad goal,” Leightman said. “There are moments when we’re losing focus and making mistakes, and that’s what’s costing us goals and results.”

“There was miscommunication on defense,” Bowers added.

Binghamton has reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the season. Despite committing the costly foul, Montoya, a recruit from Long Beach, Calif., played spectacularly for most of the game. She was able to thwart several Syracuse clears and keep the ball on the offensive end. Junior midfielder Tricia Reed was a spark in the midfield and was the only Bearcat consistently able to clear the ball.

The Bearcats will now focus on turning their winless season around.

“We can be a good team, but right now we are just making too many mistakes,” Leightman said.

Binghamton hosts Wagner on Sunday at 1 p.m. at West Gym Field.