VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer is projected to hold a share of first place in the America East Preseason Poll, released Tuesday by the conference. The Bearcats earned 55 points with two first-place votes and share the top spot with New Hampshire. Reigning champion Maine is third with 52 points and four first-place votes. UMass Lowell (46) and Vermont (39) round out the top five. Four different teams earned at least one first-place vote. 

It's the third straight year that Binghamton, UNH and Maine have occupied the top three spots in varying order, with the Bearcats earning the top position in 2023 and 2025. Last season, Binghamton was slotted second. 

"Our team is pumped to be back together and gear up for what should be an exciting season," 10th-year head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "As always our expectations are high and we know the challenges we will embrace to compete in a tight America East conference, where small margins can play a big difference. We are excited to compete soon and then prep for a tough conference season beginning in mid-September."

Bhattacharjee returns seven starters back from a squad that placed third and reached the America East semifinals. In the last three seasons, Binghamton has gone a combined 15-3-6 (75%) in conference play. Last year's squad went 4-2-2 and advanced one round in the tournament with a quarterfinal penalty kick victory. In the last five years, the Bearcats have lost only seven games to America East opponents. The team captured the regular season title in 2022 and 2023 and has advanced to the tournament semifinals in four of the last five years, including a title-game appearance in 2022. 

In addition to the poll, the conference released its 11-member Preseason All-Conference Team, and the Bearcats put three on the list. Junior defender Sophia Garofalo, sophomore midfielder Anna Buckwalter and sophomore forward Jahkaya Davis gave Binghamton a share of the most honorees. Garofalo was a first team all-conference selection last fall, while Buckwalter was the league's Rookie of the Year. Davis was an All-Rookie selection. 

Binghamton reports to campus later this week and has 2+ weeks of training before its season opener Aug. 17 at Lehigh.