LOWELL, Mass. - Playing in the conference championship game for the first time in 11 years, Binghamton women's soccer (6-2) brought its trademark intensity and passion but an early Stony Brook goal was the difference in a 1-0 result that gave the Seawolves (6-3) their second straight America East crown Saturday night at Cushing Field. 

Stony Brook used its speed and counterattack to strike in the ninth minute and held a 12-4 shots edge in the opening half as BU was on its heels. The Bearcats settled, however, in the second, and forced the issue to the tune of an 8-2 shots advantage with several dangerous opportunities in the box. But ultimately, the equalizer didn't come and BU saw its season come to an end. After getting a late start and being limited to only conference games unlike its fellow America East members, BU produced a stellar season that saw it beat six of seven opponents, losing only to Stony Brook twice by the slimmest 1-0 margins - once in the regular season and again in the title game.

"First of all congrats to Stony Brook on an impressive season," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "Today's match was a game of two halves ... our opponent got off to a strong start and got the goal. I am proud of how our players responded after halftime and changed the outlook of the match. Unfortunately we just couldn't put a goal away to get a result."

The Bearcats put three on the All-Championship Team - seniors Erin Theiller and Dora Hayes and sophomore Olivia McKnight. Hayes was the hero in BU's 1-0 upset semifinal win over host and top seed UMass Lowell on Thursday - a win that propelled the Bearcats back into the title game for the first time since 2009.   

After the Stony Brook strike, BU's back line kept a clean scoresheet for the remaining 81 minutes, giving the offense a chance to answer. The defensive quartet of Theiller, juniors Nicole Scudero and Kayla MacKenzie and freshman Emma Colling each played the full 90 minutes and held a potent Seawolves front line at bay. 

MacKenzie in particular drew praise for her exhaustive work stemming the SBU attack and in the second half, pushing forward with the ball on numerous lengthy runs up the left side. 

As late as one minute left in the game, BU was still pressing into the Stony Brook box with dangerous balls and possession. One final flurry came on a late corner kick sequence with the service pin-balling around in the box before the Seawolves cleared it away.    

Junior keeper Haylee Poltorak made five saves and finished the season with a 0.67 goals against average - the lowest in the program's 19-year Division I era. Binghamton's defense allowed just four goals in eight games this spring - fewest in the conference. 

"I am so proud and honored to have coached these young women," Bhattacharjee said. "They have dealt with the last 13+ months with focus and a competitive mindset when there were numerous obstacles in front of them. We are especially appreciative for the careers contributions from Chloe Tracy, Dora Hayes, Essie Bonney, Erin Theiller, Genna Michitti, Ivana Pjetri, Mackenzie Hanna and Sarah Dibble. This senior class changed the expectations and standard of this program and will always be grateful for all they gave to this program.

"I know Binghamton University and our community will be proud for all this team achieved this past season under some difficult circumstances. We appreciate the support and look forward to being back on the pitch in the fall."