This is the matchup coach Jeff Leightman has been dreaming about.
After a highly controversial tie two weeks ago, Leightman and his Binghamton University women’s soccer team (9-6-1, 5-2-1 AE) will get another chance to knock off the UMBC Retrievers (10-9-1, 3-4-1 AE) today, during the quarterfinals of the 2005 America East Championship at Nickerson Field in Boston.
“Obviously we’re excited to get another shot at them, but also we know to be careful what you wish for,” Leightman said. “We can’t just look past Friday, they are a very dangerous team.”
It has been an up and down year for Binghamton, who after opening the season 4-1-1, went winless in its next five games. The Bearcats bounced back from that streak to suffer only one loss and one tie in their next seven contests, helping them gain the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. Now after a week of rest, the players look to keep riding their hot streak all the way to the championship.
“We’re excited to get back on the field,” said junior goaltender Kristie Bowers. “This is our opportunity to prove we deserve to be here, and that we deserve to win the championship.”
UMBC is one of the quickest teams in the league, and the artificial turf at Nickerson Field should play to their strengths more than Binghamton’s. The Bearcat back line should have its hands full all day trying to contain the Retriever’s most dangerous weapon, sophomore forward Jessica Young. Young led the conference with 12 goals, and is perhaps the fastest player in the conference.
Should the Bearcats get past UMBC, they will take on a Maine (11-5-1, 6-1-1 AE) team who’s rivalry with Binghamton has been very similar to the Yankees/Red Sox pre-2004; lots of close games, but always the same team triumphing. The Bearcats defeated the Black Bears for the America East Championship last year, and also ended their undefeated streak earlier this season on Maine’s home field.
The Bearcats were supposed to be in a rebuilding mode this season, and as a result were predicted to finish fourth in the conference, the lowest ranking a defending champion has ever received in the coaches’ preseason poll. The Bearcats have silenced their critics however, by playing inspired soccer and looking to a new set of leaders.
BU is led on offense by juniors Danielle White (18 points) and Kelly Burnham (11 points). Bowers, who was instrumental in leading BU to the championship last year, has posted a goals against average of 0.78. The development of these juniors, along with the leadership of seniors Kelly Sanders and Meghan Taylor, puts the Bearcats in good position for this wide open tournament.
“A lot of role players have really stepped up,” said Leightman about the surprising development of his squad. “We struggled to find our identity early on. We know who we are now. We view ourselves as a team who can win the conference. It’s going to be very tough, but we have the will and the confidence to do it all. We’re the defending champs. If people want the title, they have to take it from us.”