Kerry O’Shaughnessy could not have picked a better time to score her first goal of the season.

With the Binghamton women’s soccer team locked in a scoreless tie against Maine late in the second half Sunday afternoon at West Gym Field, O’Shaughnessy took the feed from junior midfielder Tricia Reed inside the box and drilled a laser into the top right hand corner of the net.

The goal would be all the Bearcats needed, as senior goalkeeper Kristie Bowers notched four saves for her sixth solo shutout of the season. Bowers has allowed just two goals in her past six games, and BU has gone 4-2 in that span.

The win was a crucial one for the Bearcats, who moved ahead of Maine and into sole possession of third place in the America East. The Black Bears came into the game with just two losses, and had been nationally ranked earlier in the season.

“I’m very proud of our team today,” said head coach Jeff Leightman in a press release after the game. “We beat a great Maine team. The fact that they’ve been nationally ranked tells us that we’re finally getting back to where we should be.”

Maine outshot BU 8-5, and Maine’s goalie Jasmine Phillips made just two saves before O’Shaughnessy’s goal. The game was marked by gritty play and strong defensive efforts on both sides.

“It was a tough game,” Leightman said. “Maine gave us problems, but we were fortunate to get the goal today. We brought a very strong commitment level for 90 minutes and that was the difference in the game.”

The Bearcats finish off the season on Thursday evening at second-place Hartford, whom they trail by two points, and a win would move BU into sole possession of second place.

The top two teams in the conference receive first round byes at the conference tournament, and a Binghamton win over Hartford should put the team in good position to receive a bye, since the Hawks wrap up the season by playing first-place Boston University this weekend.

Hartford is undefeated in conference play with a record of 4-0-2, with ties against Stony Brook and Vermont. Vermont has played the role of giant-killer all season, as despite being in sixth place they have tied both Hartford and Boston, two teams that had gone unbeaten in AE play.

Women’s soccer notes: Bowers was named America East Player of the Week … Bowers has allowed just one goal in her past 541 minutes of action … The assist gives Reed a team-high nine points … After going 8-0-1 in non-conference play, Maine is just 3-3 in AE play … The loss drops Maine to fourth place.