DURHAM, N.H. – First-place Binghamton women's soccer (10-1-4, 5-0-2 America East) earned a 1-1 draw at New Hampshire (4-4-6, 2-1-3 AE) Sunday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium. The tie, which extended the Bearcats' unbeaten streak to 12 games, also clinched a top-2 conference finish and assured Binghamton of a home tournament semifinal game.
The Bearcats nearly had a golden opportunity for the win in the waning seconds but conference leading scorer
Jahkaya Davis was hauled down from behind by the jersey on a breakaway inside the box (photo above) and no call was made.
Binghamton outshot UNH 20-10 and amassed seven corner kicks.
"I was really pleased with our team's play and effort over the entire 90 minutes," head coach
Neel Bhattacharjee said. "We created numerous chances and never let up in the intensity of the play. With a quality performance we're obviously disappointed it wasn't a full three points, but generally speaking, we know a game like that will typically produce positive outcomes. We will take the tie and a chance to play for a result next Sunday and to honor our seniors' contributions."
Binghamton controlled the first half to the tune of a 14-3 shots advantage, six corner kicks and 63 percent possession. After a PK miss in the 29
th minute, the Bearcats cashed in when graduate midfielder
Isabella Martillo scored in the 36
th. On the play, graduate midfielder
Olaya Blanco found sophomore back
Sam Allen open on the right and Allen sent a long service into the box. Despite being one of the smaller players on the field, Martillo beat the keeper and several UNH defenders to the ball and skimmed in a header into the open net from 10 yards. It was her second career goal and first game-winner.
UNH got the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 52
nd minute after a take down just inside the box on the left.
The Bearcats finish the regular season by hosting Vermont on Senior Day next Sunday. Then regardless of result, Binghamton will receive a bye and host an America East tournament semifinal game on Nov. 6. A tie or win against the Catamounts would give Binghamton its third regular season title in the last four years and the No. 1 tournament seed.
