SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Binghamton women's lacrosse clinched a spot in the America East tournament with an impressive 19-7 victory against Bryant at Beirne Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats showcased their offensive prowess and had eight different players score goals in the win. Kenna Newman tallied a career-high 11 points, including four goals and seven assists. Newman broke her own BU single-game record for assists, which she set earlier this season. The 11 points scored by Newman are the most by any Bearcat player in a single-game this season, and second all-time. In goal, Emily Manning made 10 saves and picked up four ground balls, anchoring the Binghamton defense all afternoon. With the win, Binghamton surpassed another program record for wins in a single season. The Bearcats also became the first team to clinch a spot in the America East postseason tournament,
"The staff was really excited to see our team execute in the manor they did today," head coach Stephanie Allen said. "The win was solidified with a strong performance by both our offensive and defensive units. The energy our team is bringing to the field everyday right now and playing with is contagious."
Both teams traded goals in the first five minutes of the game. Trailing 1-0, Abigail Carroll scored her the first of her three goals in the game with 10:47 left in the opening period to even the score. Bryant scored just over a minute later, but the Bearcats took back the momentum with two straight goals from Emma Conroy (6:33) and Kenna Newman (5:47) to regain the lead, 3-2. Olivia Muscolino extended the lead to 4-2 with 4:46 left in the period. After Bryant cut the deficit to one, Newman and Marisa Tancredi each scored goals in the final 2:30 of the period to put Binghamton ahead 6-3.
In the second period, Bryant battled back with three unanswered goals in the first eight minutes of the second period to tie the game at 6-6. However, the Bulldogs could sustain their moment as Binghamton surged ahead with five unanswered goals (Carroll (2), Muscolino, Tancredi, and Hayley Weltner) to end the first half with an 11-6 lead.
Both teams were scoreless in the third period until Carla Curth scored her second goal of the season with 4:29 left. After a Bryant goal made the score 12-7, Weltner scored her second goal of the game with less than two minutes remaining in the third to give the Bearcats a six-point lead.
In the final period, Binghamton sealed the victory by holding Bryant scoreless. The Bearcats found the back of the net six times in the fourth quarter (Newman (2), Curth, Muscolino, Scheidel, and Tancredi).
The Bearcats host Albany on Senior Day on Saturday, April 15 in a matchup of the only two unbeaten teams in America East play. The winner of this game will host the America East tournament.
