VESTAL, N.Y. - In what will be a league-wide blank slate season, Binghamton women's soccer is perhaps best positioned to maintain its top tier status. Tenth-year head coach Neel Bhattacharjee has dialed up two regular season titles in the last three seasons and with unprecedented turnover impacting many of the top America East teams, the Bearcats enter 2025 as one of the conference favorites. Coaches agree after positioning Binghamton in a share for first place in the preseason poll, alongside New Hampshire.

But as Bhattacharjee knows too well, the margins in league play are narrow and preseason projections don't always line up with November results.

"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," he says.  

Binghamton returns seven starters from a 2024 squad that rode a late-season seven-game unbeaten streak (4-0-3) to the America East semifinals, where their championship bid came up short on the road. The Bearcats graduated their top two goal scorers (Hannah Mimas and Mackenzie Ryder), who accounted for 14 goals and 37 points. The team also lost its starting goalkeeper (Kaitlyn Williams) and four-year starting central midfielder (Alex Marsteller).

Back line a strength
Bhattacharjee will lean on a veteran back line, led by center backs and returning all-conference selections Sophia Garofalo (2024) and Brooke Herber (2023). The pair combined to log more than 3200 minutes (90+/game) last season and led a back line that held 11 opponents to one goal or less, including five shutouts. It will be third straight year that Garofalo and Herber anchor the middle of the defense – a comfort to both Bhattacharjee and Binghamton's goalkeepers.

"It's reassuring to have Brooke and Sophia back again and both are playing at an all-conference level," Bhattacharjee says. "They have an excellent relationship on the field and I could see them each vying for conference defender of the year honors."

Also playing key roles will be wingbacks Megan Baker, Allison Falvo and freshman Mackenzie Brotherston. Falvo has started 41 games in three seasons, while Baker enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 with 83 minutes a game, six points and dangerous overlap runs on the outside. Brotherston begins a promising collegiate career and will be a weapon with her left-footed delivery.

"The back line and team defending will be one of our biggest strengths," Bhattacharjee says. "Not only do we have all four starters back, but we have very good depth."  

Sophomore Sam Allen is back after an injury and veteran Madison O'Sullivan knows the system. Freshman Samantha Shroeder and sophomore Erin McDonald round out the unit, which will be without injured players Devin Lillis and Gwen McManus this season.
 
Buckwalter back to lead midfield corps
Reigning America East Rookie of the Year Anna Buckwalter is back in a starting attacking midfield role. Buckwalter made a big splash in her inaugural collegiate season with five goals and three assists. She was the lone freshman named to the all-conference team and was a runaway choice for top rookie.

"Anna has proven to be one of the top midfielders in the conference," Bhattacharjee says. "She continues to be an outstanding possession player and is always a threat to support the front line and shoot from distance."  

Graduate playmaker Isabella Martillo Martillo chipped in four points last season and will close out her impactful career. Junior Bella Brown played all 18 games last season and has earned significant minutes in the middle.   

Bhattacharjee bolstered the midfield unit with the addition of graduate transfer Olaya Blanco, an NAIA All-American at Cumberlands (Ky.) last season. The Spain native was a three-year starter and two-year first team all-conference defender.

Freshmen Ale Victoriano, Sydney Krempasky and Adrianna Georgette provide good depth, with Victoriano turning eyes in the preseason as an energetic spark plug.

"We have a terrific cast throughout the midfield," Bhattacharjee says.

Luke's return gives front line firepower
The Bearcats will be thrilled to see talented striker Paige Luke back on the field. Luke tallied 10 points and was named 2023 America East Rookie of the Year before her sophomore season was cut short nine games in with an injury.

"Paige is a tremendous asset to have back in the lineup," Bhattacharjee says. "She does so much, in terms of ground covered and what she can do on the ball. I was so impressed with her recovery from the injury and she's even stronger and quicker than last season. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes one of the top players in the entire conference."

Senior Lauren Clark has proven to be an opportunistic goal scorer in the last two years (seven goals on 45 shots) and should continue her upward trajectory. Clark had three goals and eight points last fall and after recovering from an injury, she is expected to round into form by conference play.   

Sophomore Jahkaya Davis is coming off an All-Rookie season that feature five goals – four coming in conference play. Davis joined Garofalo and Buckwalter on the America East Preseason All-Conference team and Bhattacharjee is eyeing her development.

"Jah had a very strong spring and showed well in preseason," Bhattacharjee says. "She is an electric attacker and has a lot of tools in her arsenal. She was preseason all-conference for a reason and people will be excited to watch her play."

Sophomore Alexus Worrell has earned considerable minutes after showing well in preseason scrimmages and brings a strong physical presence to the front line.   

Freshman Sam Brett also will be in the rotation after a noted scholastic career. Sophomore Sofia Miller and freshman Grace McCasland give Bhattacharjee a much-deeper forward rotation than in previous years.

Kessler inherits full-time starting GK role
Junior Rebecca Kessler, who split time in 2024, takes over as the starter. She played in nine games last fall and showed her impact in Binghamton's quarterfinal game against Vermont. Inserted just for the penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw, Kessler stopped four of six penalties to steer the Bearcats into the semifinals.

"Becca has learned a lot and grown substantially," Bhattacharjee says. "At this rate, I anticipate she will move into the upper echelon of America East keepers."

Freshman Bella Grace Dunn will push for time early in her career and sophomore Erika Kangas continues to provide solid depth.

Schedule set up to prep team for rugged America East play, postseason
The Bearcats open their 16-game slate at Lehigh on Aug.17 and play eight non-conference games before embarking on their traditional eight-game America East slate.  The Bearcats will face opponents from the ACC, CAA, Atlantic 10, Ivy League, Patriot League and MAAC before the eight-game America East schedule kicks off Sept. 21 when UMBC comes to Vestal. The top six teams in the conference standings advance to the tournament, which begins with first round games on Nov. 2. The top two teams host semifinal games on Nov. 6 with the winners advancing to the Nov. 9 championship game. The America East champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Binghamton has played postseason six consecutive years and has advanced to the semifinals in three straight seasons.   
 
Blend of returning starters, newcomers
The 28-member roster is balanced between veteran starters and capable newcomers, something Bhattacharjee is quick to point out.

"It's an interesting group," he says. "We have a blend of returning starters and new faces, many of whom can contribute right away … and they are all on the same page on and off the field. It's a collection of youthful energy, experience and leadership that should make for a formidable team in the America East."