ORONO, Maine - Binghamton women's soccer (8-2-5, 4-0-3 America East) rallied from two goals down to tie Maine (6-4-4, 3-1-2 AE) 2-2 Sunday afternoon at New Balance Soccer Complex.
The result, combined with two other conference outcomes gives the Bearcats their fourth regular season title in the last five years. Binghamton will carry the No. 1 seed into the America East semifinals Nov. 8 at home. With Sunday's tie, Binghamton extends its conference unbeaten streak to 21 games (13-0-8), dating back to the 2024 season.
"We are thrilled to be coming back with another America East regular season title," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "The feeling never gets old and I am very proud of all the work our student athletes have put into the season. This is a very difficult conference to compete in and to clinch the championship with a game in hand is a testament to the competitiveness of our team this fall."
Down two all-conference starters with injuries, the Bearcats surrendered two first-half goals for the first time all season and trailed the Black Bears 2-0 after 33 minutes. But Binghamton got an important tally in the 40th minute and then tied the game in the 74th minute. The Bearcats held the possession advantage throughout the game and had a 13-12 shots edge. Sophomore forward Crystal Knoell chalked up a goal and an assist to pace the comeback.
"As for today's game, I was proud of our comeback," Bhattacharjee added. "We let two transition moments get us behind early but then we kept our pressure and possession up and got two quality goals to get a road result and stay undefeated. We will enjoy the moment briefly and then turn our attention to our last match at Vermont and then competing for an America East postseason championship."
Down 2-0, Binghamton got on the board when senior back Sophia Garofalo sent a long pass into senior forward Paige Luke. Luke dribbled past several Maine defenders before slotting a through ball to Knoell, who slotted a 14-yard shot to the lower left for her second goal of the season. Luke's assist was her league-high eighth and she now is tied for the most assists of any Bearcat player in the last 24 seasons.
In the second half, senior forward Jahkaya Davis went down in the box in the 64th minute but after video review, no penalty was called. Ten minutes later however, Davis left nothing to chance when she cashed in from seven yards for her conference-best ninth of the season and the tying tally. Knoell sent a sharp cross to Davis inside the box and Davis settled it before burying the bouncing ball into the back of the net.
Binghamton closes out the regular season next Sunday at Vermont before awaiting its semifinal opponent on Nov. 8.
NOTE
Miller Auto Team is the presenting sponsor of Binghamton women's soccer. Complimentary admission to all home games courtesy of Miller Auto Team.
