VESTAL, N.Y. – Bolstered by a generous gift from women's soccer parents Taryn and Colby Clark, Binghamton women's soccer will be headed to Italy for a memorable spring break trip. Head coach
Neel Bhattacharjee and a team and family total of 60+ individuals will travel to Florence, Naples and Rome beginning March 28. The out-of-season international trip is a first of its kind for any Binghamton team during the University's Division I tenure.
Coordinated by ActivSport Travel, the trip includes competitive games, sightseeing tours and team bonding activities.
"Our team is ecstatic to have the opportunity to travel to Italy this spring," Bhattacharjee said. "Playing against competitive teams in Europe will provide a tremendous opportunity boost to our competitive development. We also are thrilled to take time to be immersed within the Italian culture and take in the sights during our team excursions on the trip. We are thankful for ActivSport Travel in putting together an exhilarating itinerary, appreciative of our athletic administration's support in this undertaking, and very grateful to Colby and Taryn Clark's generosity in helping to make this international trip a reality. We cannot wait for what will be the experience of a lifetime in Italy!"
"As proud Binghamton University Athletics parents (of senior Lauren), we have had the pleasure to see our daughter thrive within the soccer program," the Clarks shared. "We are thrilled to be able to bestow this gift to the University and help the program continue its legacy and help additional students reap the rewards that participating in athletics gives."
The Bearcats will arrive in Rome on March 29 and begin their experience with an overnight stay in Florence. The first full day features a bike tour through the city and a friendly match at night against a local Italian team. Day two features a trip south through the Italian countryside with a stop in the beautiful hilltop city of Orvieto and an evening training session. The next day includes guided tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum and a second friendly match at night. A walking tour of Rome and the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon highlight another immersive day. A trek south to Naples and guided tours of the city's vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural heritage follows, with the team's third match set for April 3. The final day features a guided tour of Pompeii and a chance to attend a Serie A match Napoli vs. AC Milan at the historic Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Binghamton women's soccer has been the most successful America East program over the last four years, with three regular-season titles and just three combined conference losses. This past fall, the Bearcats (10-2-5) set records with a 13-game unbeaten streak (8-0-5) and just one regular-season loss. The team produced a second unbeaten conference season in the last three years. In the last four seasons, the Bearcats are 20-3-9 (77%) - the highest win percentage among all America East members.
