VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting New Hampshire (5-5-1, 2-1-1 America East) built a 2-0 lead and hung on to pin the first conference loss on Binghamton women's soccer (6-5-2, 3-1 AE), 2-1, Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. 

The setback, BUs first in more than a month, snapped its seven-game unbeaten streak - the program's longest in 21 years. It also was Binghamton's first conference loss and knocked BU out of first place in the America East standings.

"We didn't quite match their energy and speed of play today," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "We could've been sharper throughout the 90 minutes and we had a few uncharacteristic giveaways. It's a tough conference and this was another one-goal game. We will learn from this and get better ... there are some good lessons to take away from today."  

New Hampshire opened the scoring in the 26th minute on a counterattack that began back near their box. With BU players caught inside the box and a lot of field in front, UNH dribbled close to 50 yards into the attacking third before a cross in from the right was swiped at and then finished off on the second try by the UNH forward from short range. The Wildcats registered seven shots in the first half and sophomore keeper Kaitlyn Williams needed to make several key saves, including a diving stop two minutes before the goal and another smothering cover to end a dangerous threat with three minutes left in the half.

Ahead 1-0 at intermission, UNH doubled its lead when a cross from the left was inadvertently knocked in by a Bearcats defender in the 51st minute. The goal came a minute after BU had a flurry of great chances on the other end, including a blast from junior back Lexi Vegoda that banked off the post and led to another close-range look from senior midfielder Olivia McKnight.  

Down 2-0 and playing against a strong wind, BU pressed forward and got one back when a Wildcats defender was called for a handball in the 61st minute. Vegoda banged home her left-footed strike to bring the Bearcats to within one, 2-1. It was her first goal of the season. But despite mounting a steady attack in the final 20 minutes, BU couldn't find the equalizer. 

New Hampshire held a 14-12 edge in shots. Possession time was dead even at 50-50. 

Binghamton next hits the road for a difficult two-game, four-day trip to Albany and Maine - currently the No. 2 and No. 1 teams in the standings. The Bearcats begin at Albany Thursday night.