The Binghamton Bearcats (8-2-5, 4-0-3 AE) rolled to Orono, Maine, with an undefeated conference record to take on the University of Maine Black Bears (6-5-4, 3-2-2 AE) at the New Balance Soccer Center.

The Black Bears started out strong in the first five minutes of the game with a shot that just nearly missed the mark, the ball skidding past the left goalpost. It wasn’t long after for the Bearcats to settle into the game, balancing out possessions, but the Black Bears were able to execute on their second scoring opportunity, whcih came in the 11th minute off a fast break. A Black Bear midfielder came down the right wing, placing a cross into a teammate for the easy score.

It didn’t take long to notice that Maine was operating at a different wavelength than the Bearcats at the beginning of the first half, making high-level plays with well-timed cuts and outstanding passing. Binghamton was creating scoring opportunities of their own, but Maine was also playing well on defense, shutting down the Bearcats.

Maine extended their lead to two in the 33rd minute when the previous goal scored sent a 50-50 ball into the box where the team won possession and had an easy chip shot into the back of the net.

The Bearcats weren’t phased by the large deficit and responded in the 40th minute when senior midfielder/forward Paige Luke had a nice show of dribbling to get to the top of the box to then send a slick pass to a cutting sophomore forward, Crystal Knoell, who canned it and revived the Bearcats’ spirit.

The Bearcats ended the first half strong and able to generate momentum to build on in the second half.

Binghamton opened the second half with tremendous energy, putting immediate pressure on the Black Bears’ defense, dominating possession time and creating some great scoring chances. Maine’s defense seemed to be responding well to the pressure at the start, matching their physical energy and shutting down opportunities, but eventually, within the 74th minute, the Bearcats broke through. Binghamton tied the game off a cross from the right wing by Knoell, finding junior forward Jahkaya Davis, who took a few touches to escape defenders and easily scored the Bearcats’ second goal of the game.

The game balanced out for the rest of the second half. Neither was able to take the lead before the game ended knotted at two. Both defenses settled in and started making important plays to keep the game a draw.

Binghamton will finish off the regular season up in Burlington to take on the University of Vermont Catamounts on Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Virtue Field.