NEWARK, N.J. - Sophomore midfielder Anna Buckwalter ripped a 19-yard shot in off the post just 2:03 into the second half to give Binghamton women's soccer (7-1-3, 2-0-1 America East) a 1-1 draw at NJIT (5-3-4, 0-1-2 AE) Thursday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. With the tie, the Bearcats extend their unbeaten streak to eight games and remain in first place in the conference standings.

Despite owning a heavy margin in ball possession in the first half, the Bearcats fell behind when the Highlanders cashed in on a corner kick in the 36th minute. The second of two straight corners was knocked around near goal and the NJIT player tapped in the loose ball from two yards out to give the hosts a 1-0 halftime edge.

Binghamton came out with high energy to start the second, however, and Buckwalter evened the score with a precise left-footed shot. Junior center back Sophia Garofalo began the play on the right and fed graduate midfielder Olaya Blanco in the middle. Blanco took a dribble and slotted a square ball to Buckwalter just outside the box. Buckwalter took a touch and banked it in off the far post for her second goal in the last three games. The assist was Blanco's first as a Bearcat.  

But despite ultimately gaining a 15-7 shots margin and generating seven corners, the Bearcats couldn't break through with the go-ahead goal.

"I was pleased with our effort and quality of play, but disappointed in the final result," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "Full credit to the players for following the game plan and their execution over 90 minutes. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't get the winner. We knew NJIT would be scrappy and also dangerous on set pieces but thought we did more than enough to pull out a win. We will regroup and look to push for three points against Maine on Sunday."

Junior keeper Rebecca Kessler was called on to make just two saves.

Binghamton returns home to face two-time reigning conference champion Maine at noon Sunday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.