DURHAM, N.H. - No. 4 New Hampshire (10-7) snapped a 1-1 tie with two second-half goals and held off visiting No. 5 seed Binghamton (10-6-2) 3-2 in an America East quarterfinal game Sunday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium. 

Freshman midfielder Olivia McKnight tallied a goal and an assist for the Bearcats, who saw their 10-win season come to a close, despite applying strong pressure in the final minutes as they pushed for an equalizer.

"Unfortunately today wasn't our day," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "While we may be gutted by today's result I'm so proud of this group. We've had fun all through this 10-win season and had many high moments and collectively came back from any low points. It's hard knowing we won't be training this week as I have enjoyed each moment with this team. I can't express the gratitude and appreciation I have for this senior class. Abby, Barbara, Lauren, Ryan, Sam and Sydney have played such a huge role in transforming this program into a contender and will be sorely missed. Our program will continue to evolve through the offseason and continue along in our journey."

The Wildcats struck first in the 28th minute when a cross from the right side was settled and dropped off and the ensuing 10-yard strike found the lower corner. 

But nine minutes later, McKnight netted a goal to tie it at 1-1. She flicked a bouncing ball in the middle for her team-high sixth goal of the season. Senior forward Sydney Corda and junior forward Stefania Piantadosi drew assists on the play.  

The Bearcats were outshot 13-5 in the half and junior keeper Mackenzie Hanna needed to make six saves to preserve the 1-1 halftime score.

"We had a slow start and an attacking team lke UNH made us pay for that," Bhattacharjee said. "It was terrific, though, to see the fight in our group to play our type of soccer and get a goal back before halftime."

The Wildcats gook the lead for good in the 57th minute when they capitalized on a breakaway for a 2-1 lead. Then in the 74th minute, UNH scored an insurance goal off another breakaway up the middle. Hanna made the initial foot stop on the break but the rebound caromed to another UNH player, who scored from 18 yards out. 

Down 3-1, BU kept pressing and got one back in the 85th minute. Senior center back Lauren Spinnato charged to get to a loose ball and sent it into the box, where McKnight headed it forward. Junior back Erin Theiller was pushing forward and ran through to tuck the ball away for her second goal of the season. 

Binghamton, which outshot UNH 7-4 in the second half, ran out of time as they were applying pressure looking for the tying goal.

"We had a drive all through the second half to bring it back to a one-goal deficit and it that match lasted just a big longer we had a great shot at an equalizer," Bhattacharjee said. " But in the end it just wasn't meant to be."

Seniors Abby Wick, Lauren Spinnato, Ryan Reilly, Sam O'Malley, Sydney Corda and Barbara Badeer saw their careers come to a close.

NOTES
McKnight finished her outstanding freshman season with six goals, five assists and 17 points - all tops on the team. She is the highest-scoring freshman in the America East and currently ranks fifth overall in points.