Hoping to break the .500 mark, the Binghamton women’s soccer team took the field for their second America East Conference game of the season against a very underrated UMBC squad.
Dani Raske continued her fine form to lead the Bearcats (5-4-1, 1-1 AE) over the Retrievers (2-10, 1-1 AE) with the lone goal of the game Thursday afternoon.
Binghamton started off well, with Raske twice getting into position to score in the first five minutes, although she couldn’t manage to keep either of the shots on target.
UMBC switched things up with a few shots of their own; but then, against the run of play, in the 11th minute Raske kicked a screamer from 25 yards into the top left corner for her fifth goal of the season, tying her with New Hampshire’s Sarah Hourihan for the lead in the American East.
Both teams continued to pressure the keepers, but Binghamton’s Jen McEachron and UMBC’s Christine Bacinski managed to keep their respective nets empty for the remainder of the game. McEachron finished the game with six saves, while Bacinski had three. It was McEachron’s fourth shutout of the season.
Binghamton pushed on more pressure with a couple of corner kicks, both of which ended in a shot and a save. With the exception of Raske’s goal, the first half was very even, with both teams managing to get off seven shots apiece.
With the game still close, both teams showed their desire to win early in the second half with fouls flying both ways culminating in yellow cards for Nicole Montoya of Binghamton and Katie McKay of UMBC in the 78th and 86th minutes, respectively.
Overall, Binghamton outshot UMBC 12 to 10, holding on to the one goal advantage in order to win the game.
“It just shows how physically and mentally committed they are. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there,” said BU head coach Sarah McClellan. “It speaks a lot to the toughness that our players have to, on the road, hold a 1-0 lead.”
While acknowledging that the win wasn’t the prettiest, McClellan was quick to credit her payers with playing hard, and getting a big win away from home.
“America East games on the road are never easy, so we did what we needed to do to win the game,” McClellan said. “Did we play great? No, but were we better than them? It’s never easy on the road so we’re happy to be leaving Maryland with a win.”
The Bearcats next play at home this Sunday against Maine. The Black Bears (4-2-4, 1-1 AE) will come to campus on the strength of a 1-0 victory over Albany on Thursday. Senior goalkeeper Jasmine Phillips recorded her fifth shutout of the season, tying her with Boston University’s Janie Reilly for tops in the America East. Junior forward Laura Martel leads the team with six points, including three goals.
Kickoff is set for noon at the Bearcats Sports Complex.