Hall of Fame
In just its seventh year as a varsity program and competing in a region that featured both NCAA finalists and five teams in the nation's top-10, the 1991 women's soccer team broke through and achieved an historic season. The team became the first Binghamton women's team in any sport to reach a bracketed NCAA tournament and along the way, set program records for wins (14) and shutouts (10) and was ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation.
Continuing a rapid rise initiated by Hall of Fame coach Hristos Dimitriou, the 1991 squad returned nine starters and three all-conference players for first-year coach Dave Wilson.
The season began with a strong test at reigning NCAA Final Four participant and nationally second-ranked Methodist and Binghamton set the tone for the season with a 1-0 upset victory. A day later, a 1-1 draw at top-20 program Mary Washington raised the team's expectations and its national merit. After a loss to third-ranked William Smith, the Colonials embarked on an eight-game unbeaten streak, during which they outscored opponents 17-1. A loss to fifth-ranked Cortland denied the team the top spot in the SUNYAC East Division but in the SUNYAC semifinals, Binghamton toppled host Geneseo 2-1 to reach the title game for the first time. In the process, it enhanced its resume enough to warrant one of just 16 national tournament berths.
In the NCAA first round game in Geneva, N.Y. against two-time NCAA champion Rochester, Binghamton led 1-0 at half before the Yellowjackets forced overtime with a late goal and then prevailed in penalty kicks to advance. Rochester went on to reach the NCAA championship game, where it lost to an Ithaca team that the Colonials had tied earlier in the fall. Binghamton wound up tying both NCAA finalists in a 14-5-4 season, demonstrating its national prowess and narrow proximity to an NCAA crown.
The individual postseason awards were aplenty, led by senior twins and co-captains Debra and Donna Beato, who capped their stellar four-year careers with All-SUNYAC, All-State and All-Northeast Region honors. Sophomore forward Neomie Friedman led the team with 12 goals and 29 points and was named All-State, along with fellow future Hall of Fame defender Maria Wenzel. Standout keeper Amy Pyluck posted nine shutouts and a 0.77 goals against average and earned All-SUNYAC honors, along with sophomore sweeper Katherine Eastman.
