VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer kicks off its 2023 season Thursday in Connecticut when the Bearcats and Fairfield tangle in a battle of reigning conference champions. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at Lessing Field.

The Bearcats captured the 2022 America East regular season title and return 10 starters and 23 letterwinners back from that squad. Eighth-year head coach Neel Bhattacharjee's team has been slotted No. 1 for the first time in the program's 22-year Division I tenure.  

America East Midfielder of the Year Olivia McKnight leads a strong contingent of BU returners. Fellow all-conference selections Peyton Gilmore (7 goals), Victoria McKnight (5 goals) and Lexi Vegoda (4 goals) are back. Junior keeper Kaitlyn Williams returns after posting five shutouts and a 1.53 goals against average last fall. 

Binghamton plays three of its first four on the road but will follow the Fairfield game with a home match against Canisius on Sunday. 

Fairfield went 14-4 last fall and thanks to a 9-1 conference mark, earned a share of the MAAC regular season title. The Stags were upset in the conference semifinals, ended their season short of a championship game appearance. The team returns six all-conference selections and was picked to finish second out of 11 in the MAAC preseason poll. Preseason Player of the Year Maddy Theriault returns after contributing eight goals and five assists last season. Fellow all-conference picks Ellie Scott and Caroline Kelly give Fairfield a steady presence in front of All-MAAC keeper Katie Wright (1.20 GAA). 

The programs have met just twice before with Fairfield winning in 2010 (2-0) and 2017 (2-1 in 2 OT).