Just last week, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team had its first winning streak ever at the Division I level. Now, the Bearcats have dropped three straight, including a 16-8 loss to Long Island University Tuesday, and a 12-5 loss to Siena yesterday afternoon.

“I think the problem is more in our mentality than in our tactics,” said head coach Emily Edmonston after her team lost at LIU. “We need to take a breath and have more confidence in ourselves.”

The Bearcats kept Tuesday’s game close early, only to see the Blackbirds make a late first-half run and take a 9-3 lead into the locker room.

The second 30 minutes saw little change for Binghamton. The Bearcats went goal for goal with LIU for a majority of the half, but the damage had already been done.

For the second straight game, the Bearcats were outshot (34-26) and found the back of the net just eight times.

“We’re trying to force low percentage shots,” said Edmonston. “We need to take care of the ball more, continue to settle and work the options that we have set up.”

Junior Heather Grose scored two goals and recorded four assists for the Bearcats, while junior Danielle Edwards and freshman Julia Demuth provided a pair of goals as well. Kristen Marsjanik and Anna Riordan rounded out the scoring for BU with one goal apiece.

Thursday played out a similar script for the Bearcats, who were held scoreless before the halftime whistle.

“I think our biggest problem today was possession overall,” said junior Kerry Henley. “Mostly off the draw, but with ground balls and transitions as well.”

In the second half, Binghamton came out firing. The Bearcats recorded the first two goals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Saints’ early lead.

Grose and Demuth paced the Bearcats once again, scoring two goals apiece, while Riordan recorded a goal and had two assists to continue her strong early season play.

Henley is confident that the Bearcats can snap out of their current funk when they make their home debut Wednesday against St. Francis of Pennsylvania.

“To control the game we’ll have to hustle, keep everything clean and make smart decisions,” she said. “We’ve got what it takes to win these games coming up so that’s exactly what we have to do: win.”