VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer (7-1-3, 2-0-1 America East) faces a stiff test Sunday when two-time reigning conference champion Maine (2-4-2, 1-0-1 AE) travels to Vestal for a battle of two America East heavyweights. Kickoff is set for noon at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
The Bearcats are riding an eight-game unbeaten streak and are coming off a 1-1 tie at NJIT on Thursday. In that game, Binghamton had to rally from a 1-0 halftime deficit and then couldn't generate a go-ahead goal. Sophomore midfielder
Anna Buckwalter ripped a 19-yard shot in off the post just 2:03 into the second half to forge the tie. Binghamton held a 15-7 shots advantage and created seven corner kicks against an NJIT team they have never lost to in eight meetings. With the positive result, Binghamton kept its position atop the America East standings three games into the eight-game slate.
Sophomore forward
Jahkaya Davis continues to lead the conference with six goals and 14 points. Junior forward
Paige Luke leads with five assists. Junior back
Megan Baker is the reigning America East Offensive Player of the Week after her two PK conversions gave the Bearcats a 3-2 win at Bryant last Sunday.
Maine is coming off a 1-1 tie with Bryant Thursday night at home. In that game, Maine scored 2:50 into the game and Bryant countered in the 68th minute. Despite peppering the Bulldogs with 12 second-half shots, Maine was unable to find the game-winner and settled for the tie.
The two-time reigning America East champion Black Bears now have a 17-game unbeaten streak against conference foes dating back to 2023.
The Black Bears roster features 14 internationals, including nine from Canada and three from Germany, along with Norway and Australia. There are eight in-state players as well. Longtime coach Scott Atherley had to replace seven of 11 starters, including four all-conference selections, from his 13-2-3 championship team last season.
Binghamton holds a 12-6-6 lead in the all-time series, though the Black Bears are 2-0-3 in the last five, including a 2-1 win in Orono last fall. In Vestal, Binghamton is unbeaten in the last five meetings (2-0-3). In the 24 all-time matchups, all but six have been decided by one goal or less. Seven of the last eight have come down to the slightest of margins. In the last three seasons, Maine has the highest win percentage of any conference member (15-1-8, 79%). Binghamton is second at 75% (15-3-6).
