VESTAL, N.Y. - Thirty days after their last home game, Binghamton women's soccer (7-2-3, 1-1 America East) hosts Vermont (4-5-1, 0-1 AE) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Bearcats Sports Complex, looking to continue its strong play. Binghamton has already surpassed its win total from 2016. 

On Thursday, BU took it to two-time defending champion Albany on the road, pressing the Danes throughout the second half and overtimes before prevailing 1-0 on a game-winner from redshirt junior Kayla Saager. The result felt right for the Bearcats, who peppered Albany's back line with 18 shots and 10 corner kicks, only to see a regulation goal elude them. The second half, in particular, was one-sided. Binghamton had 11 shots, nine corner kicks and numerous near misses.  

Just 2:26 into the second extra period, Saager took a long pass from sophomore back Sam O'Malley and dribbled into the box on the left. She then cut back to avert a Danes' defender and drilled a right-footed shot to the far corner to end it. It was her conference-best ninth goal of the season and third game-winner. Saager ranks in the nation's top-15 in points (23) and goals.  

Senior keeper Katie Hatziyianis and the BU defense have produced five shutouts in the team's last seven games.    

With three points in the standings, BU now plays four of its final six games at home, including three straight. 

Vermont opened conference play with a 2-0 home loss against New Hampshire Thursday night. The Catamounts have surrendered eight goals in their last three games, including losses to Central Connecticut State (2-0) and Bryant (4-1). Before the team's current three-game losing streak, UVM started the season 4-2-1.

Bryant and UNH are the only common opponents. BU battled Bryant to a scoreless tie one week before Vermont suffered their lopsided loss. Both teams have now lost to UNH. The Catamounts returned 15 letterwinners from a 7-8-4 squad that reached the America East semifinals last season. They were picked to finish fifth this season (BU was picked eighth).

Binghamton leads the all-time series 8-5 though UVM has won three of the last four meetings. The teams have never tied, which is an oddity in soccer series'. Last year in Burlington, UVM scored with 51 seconds left to deal the Bearcats a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat as the final playoff spot was up for grabs.  


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