WASHINGTON, D.C. - Freshman midfielder Olivia McKnight scored a pair of second-half goals to lift Binghamton women's soccer (4-1) to a 3-1 road win over American (3-2) Friday afternoon at Reeves field. The win was BU's third in a row, during which they have outscored opponents 7-1.

McKnight, whose four goals and 10 points lead the entire America East Conference, snapped a 1-1 tie in the 53rd minute. The scoring play was made possible by junior forward Dora Hayes, who backtracked to take the ball away near the center line and fed McKnight some 40 yards away from goal. McKnight then deftly dribbled her way into the box on the left and deposited a left-footed shot into the lower right corner for a 2-1 lead. 

Then in the 82nd minute, McKnight provided an insurance goal with a brilliant 17-yard shot to the upper left corner. After a ball was sent forward into the box and headed down by a defender, McKnight struck the loose ball and put it precisely into the upper 90. 

"We are pleased with getting a quality result today," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "We got off to a great start and that gave us confidence going forward. Unfortunately we gave up a goal right before halftime, which is something we never want to do, especially when we have a good grasp on the match. But credit to each player for stepping up and digging deeper to get the winner and insurance goal. It was an important road victory as American gave us a lot to handle at their home field. We will enjoy this win for a brief moment and then quickly shift our attention to a talented and hungry George Mason team this Sunday."

The Bearcats struck first in the eighth minute when junior forward Essie Bonney banged in her third goal of the season - and third in the last two games. Sophomore forward Stefania Piantadosi worked down the right side and sent a perfect cross to the far post where Bonney had an easy finish for a quick 1-0 lead. 

American tied the game with just 1:15 left in the half on a long-range shot that found the upper corner.

Binghamton took eight shots in that opening frame and wound up wiith a 10-5 margin for the game. 

The Bearcats play at Atlantic-10 power George Mason Sunday afternoon in Fairfax, Va.