Box Score Senior Day/2004 Anniversary Photo GalleryBox ScoreVESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting New Hampshire tallied the game's lone goal in the 27th minute and the Wildcats (5-8-2, 2-2-2 America East) held off Binghamton women's soccer (5-9-2, 1-3-2 America East) 1-0 Sunday afternoon at the frigid Bearcats Sports Complex.
The teams began the day tied for the sixth and final playoff spot and the loss dented BU's chances of gaining the program's ninth playoff berth in the last 11 years. Binghamton has two games remaining - both on the road - and likely has to win out to advance. On Senior Day, the teams battled tough weather that included a strong wind and temperatures in the low 40s.
New Hampshire's goal sequence began with a free kick just inside the halfway line. The ball was sent to the right side and then a BU clearing attempt deflected off a UNH forward and rolled into the middle of the 18-yard box, where senior midfielder Caroline Murray collected it, dribbled and slotted a 14-yard shot into the lower left corner.
The visitors held an 11-4 shots advantage - just the second time all season that BU was outshot.
"We just didn't click on the attack today," head coach
Sarah McClellan said. "We were passing more than going to goal ... it was just one of those games where we were a little bit 'out of it'. We're more of a tight, technical team and it looked like New Hampshire seemed a little more comfortable in the cold."
Binghamton had two good chances for the equalizer in the second half. The first came in the 54th minute when sophomore midfielder
Katie O'Neill sent a ball over the top of the defense to senior linemate
Emily Nuss. Nuss settled the ball and with UNH keeper Mimi Borkan charging, shot toward the far post. But Borkan got her body on the shot and deflected it away. Then with 9:46 left in the game, second-year forward
Jacque Rice sent a ball down the right side to a streaking
Jocelyn Acor. But Acor's right-footed shot from inside the box spun wide.
Playing with the wind for the second half, the Wildcats nearly had another goal in the 61st minute when a corner kick scramble led to a rebound shot that was cleared off BU's goal line by freshman back
Emma Maslin. In the closing minutes, UNH headed to the corner flags and drained the clock with several corner kicks and possession.
Maslin returned to the lineup after missing 6+ weeks with an injury but unfortunately for the Bearcats, her return to the starting lineup coincided with the loss of senior center back and tri-captain
Connie Gormley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Thursday's game.
"It was tough not to have Connie on the back line and tough not to have her energy in there," McClellan said. "But she handles adversity well and she'll continue to help us on the sidelines and help our back line."
Binghamton celebrated Senior Day by honoring its four seniors before the game. Four-year letterwinners
Gaby Gold,
Connie Gormley,
Alyssa Gutierrez and
Emily Nuss were introduced with their families in pregame festivities.
"Our seniors have strong character and have put a lot of energy and commitment into our program for four years," McClellan said. "First and foremost, they are amazing people. It's been a real privilege to work with them."
Binghamton plays at Vermont Thursday afternoon before concluding the regular season at UMBC on Sunday.
NOTE
The 2014 season marks the 10-year anniversary of Binghamton's 2004 America East championship. Members of that historic NCAA tournament team were recognized at halftime. Details of their memorable season can be found here
