VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer has three all-conference players and several more key contributors back from an eight-win campaign, but its postseason fortune may equally hinge on a new-look defensive lineup. 
 
Head coach Neel Bhattacharjee enters his seventh season just two years removed from a title-game appearance. His team's promising 2021 season was cut short in the America East quarterfinals, ending the careers of three starting defenders and four-year starting keeper Haylee Poltorak. 
 
Now Bhattacharjee will lean on some new faces in the back as BU looks to repeat as the top defense (goals allowed) in the conference. Meanwhile, the team's ball control offense will again feature the triangle of central midfielders and twin sisters Olivia McKnight and Victoria McKnight and center forward Maya Anand - each coming off all-conference accolades last fall.
 
"We are looking to identify our style of play right now," Bhattacharjee said. "We have a group that is united and is coming off a strong spring, so we know we can do special things." 
 
FORWARD
Anand heads this unit and is coming off a breakthrough junior season in 2021. She produced six goals (four game-winners) and 15 points with several tallies the result of highlight-reel dribbling. Anand is one of the most dangerous attackers in the America East and her ability to find the back of the net will play a key role in the team's success this fall. 
 
Returning up top is sophomore Peyton Gilmore, whose promising freshman season was cut short by injury during the October stretch run. But before that, she earned America East All-Rookie honors with two game-winning goals and an aggressive, attacking mentality on the wing. Look for freshman Samiya Reid to see plenty of minutes up front as well after an outstanding scholastic career. Reid became the all-time leading scorer at Floral Park Memorial High School with 98 career goals. A three-time member of the Newsday Long Island Top 100 list, Reid excels in 1-on-1 opportunities.
 
"Samiya will be a headache for America East defenders," Bhattacharjee said. "We are looking forward to a quick start in her freshman campaign."
 
Junior Davia Rossi, sophomore Hannah Mimas and freshman Lauren Clark will also battle for time. Rossi made 12 starts last fall and Mimas played 14 games in her initial collegiate campaign. Clark was a two-time all-state selection up the road at Fayetteville-Manlius High. 
 
Talented transfer Hannah Knych will have her Bearcats debut delayed due to illness but brings a pace and polish to the attack. Before beginning her collegiate career at Pitt, Knych was a dynamic, two-time all-state player at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and led her Syracuse Development Academy team to a State Cup Championship in 2019.  
 
MIDFIELD
The aforementioned McKnight twins occupy prominent roles in the middle of the lineup and when healthy, they present as formidable a tandem as there is in the conference. Olivia is a two-time all-conference selection who netted four goals in 15 starts last fall and averaged more than 86 minutes on the field. Victoria is finishing up rehabilitation from an injury and is expected to be back in full force by conference play. She led the team with four assists in 2021. Both McKnights are highly competitive athletes who are capable of controlling a game and also lifting their teammates to a higher level.    
 
Gritty sophomore Alex Marsteller also returns after logging more than 85 minutes a game as a freshman. An odd omission from the All-Rookie team, Marsteller made an impact in BU's lineup at the holding midfield position. Junior Emma Colling is coming off a strong spring season and has earned minutes in either the midfield or as a center back. She was a back line starter during BU's title-game run two seasons ago and her size and ability to read the game make her a valuable presence. Versatile junior Molly McClelland is expected to play a key role, either in the midfield or up front, where her speed and tenacity have been on display. 
 
Sophomores Maria Poulos, Isabella Martillo and Ashley Cirilla are in the mix as well. Poulos played in 15 games as a freshman, chipping in a goal and an assist off the bench. Martillo and Cirilla both showed strong in the spring and are eager to contribute. 
 
DEFENSE
This unit has the most turnover, with the lone holdover being junior Lexi Vegoda, who logged more than 85 minutes. Vegoda operates on the left side, where her strong left foot doubles as a serving threat on set pieces. As a vocal leader and experienced defender, her influence on the back line will be instrumental to the team's fortunes this fall.   
 
"Lexi is one of our top technical and tactical players," Bhattacharjee said. "She is a steady presence in the back and we expect her strong leadership for that young group."
 
Freshman Brooke Herber came in with vast scholastic experience and has emerged as a key starter at center back. A three-year National Team player, she captained one of the strongest club teams in the country (Smithtown) and is a polished, consistent defender. Fellow freshmen Allison Falvo and Madison O'Sullivan are also in the mix for a starting role. Falvo starred for a New Hartford team that was top-ranked in New York State and she also enjoyed national success with her Syracuse Development Academy team. O'Sullivan played for an unbeaten Friends Academy high school team and her steady, blue-collar approach has gained notice in preseason. Sophomore Erin Hogan is also a viable option on the outside after a strong spring season. Injured last fall when she was initially slotted as an attacker, a now healthy Hogan brings an aggressive, versatile element to the lineup. 
 
Sophomores Hailey Roberts, Mackenzie Ryder and Nicole Rago begin their second collegiate seasons with each pushing for minutes. 
 
The unit is minus veteran defender and co-captain Grace Vittoria, who is recovering from an injury and will miss the season.   
 
GOALKEEPER
With four-year starter Haylee Poltorak graduated, the starting position is up for grabs among a trio of keepers. Senior Nicole Scott is the most experienced, having been with the program since 2019. Sophomore Kaitlyn Williams and freshman Eve Waldhauser are eager to break into the lineup.   
 
SCHEDULE
The schedule has a competitive uptick, thanks to a pair of Power 5 foes. The Bearcats open the season Thursday night at Buffalo, which won 13 games and reached the MAC semifinals last fall. The home opener against American Athletic Conference member Temple is Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. After a midweek game at Marist (Aug. 25), BU heads to East Lansing for a first-time encounter with Big Ten member Michigan State. The Spartans won 10 games last season.
 
September opens with a road game at reigning Patriot League champion and NCAA team Bucknell (Sept. 1) and one week later, BU will host ACC member Syracuse (Sept. 8) for the first time since 2009. Traditional games against NEC member FDU (Sept. 11) and Ivy League member Cornell (Sept. 14) lead into BU's America East opener Sept. 18 against new conference member Bryant. The Bulldogs reached the NEC semifinals last fall. The team's final non-conference game is a Sept. 24 date at Delaware State. 
 
The Bearcats will play nine non-conference games and an eight-game America East slate. The top six teams advance to the conference tournament, which begins with quarterfinals on October 30. 
 
OUTLOOK
The America East will look different this fall, with longtime members Hartford and Stony Brook departed and newcomer Bryant beginning its first year of membership. The league is historically wide open and last season was no exception as five teams were separated by just one win in the standings. Seven different teams have earned at least a share of the regular season title in the last five years.
 
"I expect the conference to be strong and competitive from top to bottom this season," Bhattacharjee said. "It will be another year of tight games and one-goal margins. No overtime (new regular season format this year) could also bring an added element to the final standings, which are always congested. Getting that first goal and playing with the lead will be all the more important."
 
Bhattacharjee will bank on his team's overall depth and possession to give the Bearcats a chance to fight for a regular-season title and postseason success.
 
"Using our possession to break down opponents and get into the final third is a big part of how we want to play," he said. "We have more depth in front than we did last year and we should be more multi-faceted and unpredictable. I also think despite our relatively young defense, that will still be a strength of ours."