DURHAM, N.H. – Sophomore Lauren Clark's first half goal helped the Binghamton women's soccer team defeat New Hampshire 1-0 in the first game of America East Conference play Sunday at Wildcat Stadium.
 
This was the first meeting between these two teams since the 2022 America East Conference championship game, which New Hampshire won on penalty kicks 3-2 after regulation ended in a 4-4 tie. Sunday marks the first time since March 28, 2021, that Binghamton has defeated New Hampshire. The Bearcats also won that previous match 1-0.
 
"Can't say enough about the team and their effort today," said Binghamton Head Coach Neel Bhattacharjee. "We have endured a very tough non-conference schedule, and it was all to prep for a game like today, against a tough UNH side to start America East play."
 
Clark's goal, her second of the season, came with just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half. From the defensive side of the field, freshman Sophia Garofalo sent a deep pass to the other end of the pitch for Clark. The forward was able to then kick the ball over UNH goalkeeper Sally Rainey's head and into the goal from about 15 yards out.
 
It was one of three shots on goal the Bearcats had in the frame. The defense for Binghamton, meanwhile, stood tall in the first 45 minutes. Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams stopped three shots in the half. The closest the Wildcats got to scoring a goal was with just less than 28 minutes remaining, when junior Chloe DeLyser hit the crossbar from around 25 yards out. Junior Meghan Guarente then headed the ball from inside the box, which was grabbed by Williams for the save.
 
"It was a strong first half with a quality finish by Lauren Clark, and then we knew UNH would press the game and that we would have to grind it out to hold the result and have a 'bend but don't break' mentality," said Bhattacharjee.
 
Binghamton's defense carried its momentum into the second half, as Williams stopped all four shots that she faced in the final 45 minutes. New Hampshire recorded two shots on goal within two minutes of each other, courtesy of senior Megan Logue and Guarente, with around 20 minutes remaining in the match. Williams stopped both shots from getting into the net, ultimately securing her second shutout of the season.
 
"This is an outstanding result on the road, and we look forward to getting recovery and prepping for another tough conference match next weekend when UMBC comes to town," said Bhattacharjee.
 
That game against UMBC takes place on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., at the Bearcats Sports Complex.