Looking to regain momentum after its blowout loss to Albany, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team shifted its focus to offense on Tuesday against Colgate. Despite netting a season-high 11 goals, the Bearcats struggled when they needed to get stops and ultimately fell, 13-11.
Binghamton (4-9, 0-2 America East) saw its losing streak extend to five with the loss to the Raiders (4-8, 2-3 Patriot League), but is committed to focusing on the game’s positive aspects.
“More than anything, it’s a learning experience and we’ve been in this situation a couple of times now,” BU head coach Stephanie Allen said. “It’s important that we learn from these [close losses] and keep our heads up.”
Just 15 seconds into the game, BU freshman midfielder Rebecca Golderman found junior midfielder Callon Williams to open scoring. The Bearcats started off hot, jumping out to a 3-1 lead just over four minutes into the game. The contest’s hurried pace continued throughout the first half with six goals being tallied in the first seven minutes, including two more by Colgate to tie the game at three.
The Bearcats broke the tie when Golderman scored her first goal of the game just two minutes later. Williams then made a phenomenal hesitation move to split a double team and bury her third goal of the game to push the score to 5-3 in favor of BU.
Colgate responded quickly, netting three goals in the next minute to take a 6-5 lead. Golderman scored another goal to tie the game at six, but every time BU crept closer, the Raiders had an answer. Colgate scored twice in a row to take an 8-6 lead and, after trading goals, the Bearcats struck just before halftime. Seemingly trapped, Golderman found her way around a double-team to bounce in a goal just before time expired and led BU into the locker room trailing, 9-8.
The Bearcats’ offense excelled at creating opportunities in the first half by moving the ball and finding ways to score in isolation.
“We talked about creating more opportunities and generating more looks on cage,” Allen said. “That’s something we’ll continue to focus on: ball distribution altogether, but also working and playing for each other.”
Binghamton again started the second half well, with junior midfielder Valerie DeNapoli scoring just 33 seconds in off a great pass from Williams. Colgate, however, didn’t let up on the gas. The Raiders scored two goals of their own to go up by two. Following the Raider goal, Williams netted her fifth score of the game, tying her career-high as Binghamton tied the contest just over three minutes later. But, with just over 16 minutes remaining, the BU offense fell flat, staying scoreless for the rest of the game. Colgate scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to seal the game.
“It was a lack of discipline in certain areas,” Allen said about the last 16 minutes of the half. “We gave up a few more free positions than we would’ve liked. I think it’s just the little things out there. [We need to] get back to our fundamentals and take care of our anticipation and our slides.”
Williams and Golderman carried the team offensively, combining for eight of the team’s 11 goals in the contest.
This marks the sixth game of the year in which Binghamton has conceded 10 or more goals. The Bearcats have lost all six of those contests.
BU is set to return to action with a game against UMBC on Saturday. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.