VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting Albany (5-7, 2-1 America East) netted the game's lone goal in the 22nd minute and it stood as the winner in a 1-0 win over Binghamton women's soccer (4-8-2, 0-4 AE) Thursday night at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

Binghamton had a few scoring chances in the game's opening 15 minutes, including a hard drive by freshman midfielder Ryan Reilly that required a diving save and back-to-back corner kicks that resulted in near-miss headers from inside 10 yards.

But the Great Danes struck with 21:14 gone on a corner kick. The set piece from the left was met with a header by Alexa Schneider. Junior keeper Katie Hatziyianis stretched to tip the shot off the crossbar but it dropped down onto the foot of Vivian Vega, who stationed between two BU defenders, tapped it in from two yards out. 

The Bearcats' best opportunity took place with 8:32 left in the game. Junior midfielder Aly Falinski attacked the endline and sent a short left-footed cross to the goalmouth where senior forward Leighann Bennett's header from six yards looped over the keeper but also over the bar. 

Albany outshot BU 10-5. Hatziyianis made a pair of saves.  

"I was proud of our effort tonight," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "We had a specific tactical game plan, which started in how we were going to defend, and the players executed it. We were right there with Albany, the defending conference champions who were picked to win it again this year, and I didn't see a whole lot in difference in the level of play. The game boiled down to one thing ... they scored on a set piece and we didn't."

Bhattacharjee saw signs of encouragement with BU's attack, which has been quiet of late.

"We got into the final third 26 times, which is the most we've had in a while, and we had our fair share of chances. We just weren't able to convert. I'm pleased we are getting into the final third ... now we just have to put the ball in the back of the net."

He also praised the team's defending, which resulted in very few dangerous scoring threats.

"I thought our defending was really good higher up the field. Katie (Hatziyianis) didn't have to make any point-blank saves tonight. I give a lot of credit to our forwards and midfielders. They did what they were supposed to do and it made for a lot less work in back."

Binghamton continues its three-game homestand with a matchup against Maine at noon Sunday.