VESTAL, N.Y. - Halfway through the conference slate, defending regular season champion Binghamton women's soccer (3-4-5, 2-0-2 America East) sits in first place. The Bearcats look to extend a five-game unbeaten streak when they travel to Lowell  to face UMass Lowell (1-4-5, 1-1-1 AE) Sunday afternoon. The teams square off at noon at Cushing Field.

The Bearcats have played to back-to-back ties in their last two outings - a 2-2 home draw against Albany on Sept. 28 and a 1-1 road tie at Bryant last Sunday. Binghamton had a heavy advantage in possession, shots and chances in both games but had to settle for the one point in each. Heading into Sunday's action, BU has a one-point edge over unbeaten Maine and defending champion UNH in the standings. 

Senior back Lexi Vegoda leads the team and ranks seventh in the conference with 10 points. Vegoda has three goals (all on PKs) and four assists. Sophomore forward Lauren Clark has a team-high four goals (fifth in AE) and graduate midfielder Olivia McKnight ranks third in the league with four assists. Junior keeper Kaitlyn Williams has a 1.34 goals against average and a 75.4 saves percentage.

The River Hawks are coming off a 6-1 setback at Vermont last Sunday - the most goals UML has surrendered in 11 years of America East competition. Before that, UML defeated NJIT 2-0 and played reigning champion UNH to a scoreless draw. The team was picked to finish fourth in the Coaches' Preseason Poll after graduating four all-conference selections from a team that went 4-2-2 in league play (4th) and lost in the quarterfinals. Returning all-conference selection and senior forward Calliste Brookshire leads the team with seven points. Returning senior keeper Taylor Burgess owns a 1.60 goals against average and 75.8 saves percentage. 

Binghamton leads the all-time series 8-3-1. The teams have played four straight one-goal games, however, including a thrilling 5-4 Bearcat win last October in Vestal. The last time they met in Lowell, the River Hawks prevailed 1-0 in overtime in 2021.