After winning its America East opener against Vermont, the Binghamton women’s lacrosse team has lost two straight, falling to UMBC on April 3 before dropping a 13-12 heartbreaker to New Hampshire last Saturday. The Bearcats (2-8, 1-2 America East) will look to buck the losing trend when they visit Boston University this weekend.
But bringing the skid to an end against the Terriers could prove to be a challenge given Boston’s heralded history in the America East. The Terriers (4-6, 1-2 AE), who have won nine conference championships, are led by All-American senior attack Danielle Etrasco, who has distributed 10 assists to go with 37 goals this season.
Binghamton has never beaten Boston since joining the America East in 2002, falling to the Terriers by as many as 20 goals. But last season, the Bearcats nearly pulled off the upset before losing 18-16, the narrowest-ever margin between the two programs.
In that contest, one that featured nine ties, Binghamton held leads in both halves. But the Bearcats could not erase a late 17-14 deficit.
Binghamton senior midfield Katherine Hunsberger posted a career-high six goals in the contest while senior attack Kimberly McGeever added two goals and three assists. This year, Hunsberger and McGeever rank first and second on the team in points, with 23 and 22, respectively.
Boston University, coming off a 20-17 victory over Vermont, is just 2-3 in its last five games. But regardless of the Terriers’ recent struggles, the Bearcats expect a challenge on Saturday.
“Boston has always been a top team in the conference, and being able to take it to them last year was definitely exciting,” senior captain defense Kristin Pennino said. “This year we are in a good position to potentially make [the] playoffs which is something the Bearcats women’s lacrosse program has never done. We have been preparing really hard all week, and everyone is ready to play all out on Saturday.”
Boston tied for second in the America East preseason poll and currently stands in a fourth-place tie with Binghamton and New Hampshire.
Just four teams earn bids to the conference tournament, making any opportunity to gain ground all the more important.
A Binghamton win coupled with a New Hampshire loss to first-place Stony Brook would put the Bearcats in a tie for third place with two conference games remaining.
Faceoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Boston University’s Nickerson Field.