VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer (6-2-1) opens America East play on Sunday when the Bearcats host Vermont (2-4-1) as part of Homecoming Weekend. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.  

The Bearcats wrapped up non-league play with a 1-1 overtime tie at Cornell on Wednesday. Junior back Erin Theiller scored her second career goal to account for the Bearcats' offense. Five different players have scored for BU thus far, led by freshman midfielder Olivia McKnight and junior forward Essie Bonney with four tallies apiece.

After missing the playoffs with a 2-6 AE mark last season, BU is eyeing a change in fortunes. The team can tie its win total from 2018 with a victory today. The Bearcats were picked to finish seventh out of nine in the preseason poll — one spot behind Vermont and one spot out of postseason position. But the team has gone 5-1-1 in its last seven games and enters conference play brimming with confidence.   

The Catamounts are in the midst of a five-game winless stretch after opening the season with victories over Sacred Heart (1-0) and Army (2-1). In their last outing one week ago, UVM dropped a 2-1 decision at Bryant.  Before that, they played Patriot League power Colgate tight in a 2-1 overtime loss.

Freshman midfielder Frances O'Donnell leads the team with three points. The Catamounts were picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll. They return seven of their top eight goal scorers and had the third-best defense in the league in 2018.

On the strength of five straight wins, Vermont leads the all-time series with BU, 10-8. The last Bearcat win was 3-2 in OT in 2014 in Burlington. Binghamton hasn't beaten Vermont at home since 2011 — a span of four games.