VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer (5-4-6, 4-0-3 America East) rallied from a 2-0 hole, extended its unbeaten streak to eight and kept its hold on first place with a 2-2 tie against visiting Maine (9-1-5, 4-1-2 AE) on Senior Day Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. 

Down two goals just 18+ minutes into the contest, BU rallied with the final two of the game and with the result, guaranteed itself at least the No. 2 tournament seed and a home semifinal game on Nov. 2. Binghamton can capture its second straight regular season title and No. 1 seed with a win in the regular season finale Thursday at NJIT. 

"I was really impressed with our mentality coming back from being down 2-0," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "Maine is having a nice year and it was unfortunate that we dug ourselves a hole, especially on set pieces. It was critical for us to get a set piece goal of our own and to get one before halftime. We made some adjustments and had a really good second half. We had chances ... this was a game we definitely didn't want to drop so a tie was still important to get a quarterfinal bye. Now we just need to hopefully do what we are capable of doing at NJIT on Thursday."

Maine jumped ahead with a goal just 3:30 into the contest. A free kick led to an open run down the right and a subsequent rebound goal. Then in the 19th minute, the Black Bears were awarded a penalty kick after a takedown in the box and the conversion made it 2-0. 

The Bearcats got one back before halftime. A corner kick in the 36th minute from senior back Lexi Vegoda was knocked around in the Maine box and the loose ball came to graduate midfielder Olivia McKnight. She unleashed an 18-yard left-footer to the top netting to bring BU within one, 2-1. It was McKnight's third goal of the season, to go with a team-high five assists. 

In the second half, the Bearcats got the equalizer in the 60th minute, thanks to strong play from graduate back Grace Vittoria. The aggressive wing back earned the ball on the right side and sent a dangerous cross into the box. There, freshman forward Paige Luke extended her left leg to touch it past the Maine keeper. It was her fourth goal of the season.  

The Bearcats had three corner kicks in the second half and several other threatening free kicks into the box but couldn't find the game-winner.

Binghamton's unbeaten streak is its longest since the 2001 team went 10 straight without a loss. The Bearcats are 4-0-3 in conference play and remain one point ahead of Maine in the standings. Maine faces third-place and reigning America East champion New Hampshire on Thursday in their final regular season game. 

NOTE
The Bearcats celebrated their five seniors in a pre-game ceremony. Emma Colling, Hannah Knych, Molly McClelland, Davia Rossi and Lexi Vegoda were honored. The group has been part of four straight tournament teams and two teams that have reached the America East title game.