VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer (2-1-1) faces its stiffest test yet this fall when the Bearcats head north on I-81 to meet ACC member Syracuse (2-1) Thursday night. The teams kick-off at 7 p.m. at the natural grass SU Soccer Stadium and the game will be shown on ACCNetwork Extra (ESPN+). 

Binghamton is riding a three-game unbeaten streak, having defeated Fordham (2-0) and Bryant (3-1) before playing Temple to a scoreless draw on Sunday in Philadelphia. That game featured a disallowed BU late-regulation goal and two stunning, point-blank saves by senior keeper Haylee Poltorak.

Poltorak was selected as the University's Miller Auto Team Student-Athlete of the Week after allowing just one goal in 200 minutes of action for the week. She made six saves against Bryant and Temple and now leads the America East in shutouts (2) and ranks third in both goals against average (0.71) and save percentage (.885). 

Up top, junior forward Maya Anand is the reigning conference Offensive Player of the Week after scoring twice in the Bryant game - all within a five-minute span early in the second half. Anand leads the America East in goals (3), game-winning goals (2) and points (6). All three of her tallies have come on headers, in spite of her 5-foot-4 frame. Junior center midfielder Olivia McKnight (1 goal, 1 assist) and senior forward Stefania Piantadosi (3 assists) are next on the stat sheet. 

Syracuse is coming off a 2-1 win over Eastern Michigan on Sunday. The Orange also have a 2-0 win over FDU and a 4-2 loss to Niagara in 2021. Syracuse is averaging 18 shots and nearly 12 corner kicks - lofty numbers for both categories. 

The Orange have controlled the all-time series between the two programs, owning a 6-1-1 record. The teams played six straight years between 2005-10 and the last meeting was a 4-0 SU home win in 2010. The lone Binghamton victory was a 1-0 road win in 2005. The Bearcats also earned a 1-1 home tie in 2006. 

Head coach Neel Bhattacharjee will be facing his former program. He served as an assistant coach at Syracuse from 2012-15.