The Binghamton University women’s lacrosse team traveled to Stony Brook University Saturday, taking on the Seawolves in its third America East test of the season. Neither team led by more than two goals at any point, but the Bearcats couldn’t keep up late, falling 10-9 at Lavalle Stadium.
It was a tight affair throughout, as neither side could pull away for a comfortable lead. Binghamton senior Lizzie Wright opened the scoring with a free position shot less than two minutes in, but Stony Brook went on a three-goal run to assert itself in the match.
The Bearcats would respond with a run of their own, and senior Beth Moore, the all-time program leader in goals scored, would tally two of four straight goals to give the Bearcats a 5-3 lead with 12 minutes left in the first period.
Stony Brook would score four of the next five to end the half as Binghamton struggled to lock down defensively. A goal from Stony Brook senior Samantha Djaha would spring a four-goal run for the Seawolves, and the half ended 7-6 in their favor.
The second half displayed more of the same, as the very evenly matched sides traded blows. A goal one minute into the half would give Stony Brook its third two-goal lead of the day, but it would be held scoreless for the next 19 minutes.
Binghamton responded yet again, as Moore scored, notching a hat trick with 19:09 left on the clock. Six minutes later, junior Lis Zuern added an assist to her two goals on the day, finding sophomore Kimberly McGeever for another quick goal to bring the game level.
With the scoreboard reading 8-8, Binghamton seemed unable to find a second gear, and Stony Brook scored the next two goals, one with just under 10 minutes left and the second with six minutes left, which proved to be the game-winner.
The Bearcats refused to go down without a fight, though, and with 1:10 left, Moore, arguably BU’s most consistent player all season, scored her fourth goal of the game, setting up what would be a frantic final minute. Binghamton managed several shots on goal, with the best opportunity coming with 11 ticks left.
Senior Ali Castiglie made a spectacular move around the net and fired one straight at the goal, but hit the post — the shot ultimately proved to be the decisive moment in an otherwise well-fought game.
The Bearcats won the ground ball battle 15-9, and only committed 10 turnovers to the Seawolves’ 17. They struggled mightily in the draw circle though, going 7-for-21 for the match and only 1-for-7 in the second half.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County is next on the schedule for Binghamton. The team is set to travel to Baltimore for a scheduled 1 p.m start on Saturday.