RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Senior forward Leighann Bennett hit a rocket to the opposite upper 90 in the 49th minute lifting Binghamton women's soccer (2-1-2) to a 1-0 win over host Manhattan (1-4) Friday night at Gaelic Park.

Just 3:17 into the second half, senior defender Allison Mack sent a long ball toward the endline on the left. Sophomore forward Jocelyn Acor tracked it down behind her mark and touched the ball back to Bennett outside the box on the left. Bennett positioned the ball back on her right foot and startled the Manhattan defense and keeper by striking a crisp, sharp-angled ball that sailed into the far right corner of the net. Acor drew an assist on the play.

The Bearcats, meanwhile, played a steady defensive game and outshot their hosts 12-5. 

Junior keeper Katie Hatziyianis was called on to make just one save - and it was a leaping deflection over the net on a Manhattan chance late in the first half. 

The total team effort drew praise from head coach Neel Bhattacharjee.

"That was a very good performance on the road against a solid opponent," he said. "It was our most complete performance from start to finish. Numerous players made contributions with each one understanding her individual role and making a tactical impact. The back line and goalkeeping also was solid throughout and our possession and ball movement in the attack was high quality at times. I'm proud of this group with this performance at this stage."

Binghamton will stick to opponents from the MAAC when they host reigning MAAC champion Siena on Monday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. 

"We now have to regroup to face a very talented NCAA team in Siena in front of what we hope is a strong home crowd on Labor Day," he said.