VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer seniors Rebecca Kessler and Sophia Garofalo have earned America East weekly honors after pacing the Bearcats to a pair of shutouts during an undefeated week. Kessler was named Goalkeeper of the Week and Garofalo took home Defensive Player of the Week after Binghamton posted back-to-back shutouts in scoreless draws.

Kessler stopped a Siena penalty kick in the 60th minute to preserve that tie and then made three saves at Buffalo to extend her shutout streak to 450 minutes. She leads the entire nation in shutouts (5) and goals against average (0.00). 

At center back, Garofalo has anchored a defense that has rendered Kessler a spectator for much of the early season. Binghamton's back line has limited opponents to less than five shots per game and Garofalo has aided the attack with numerous dangerous free kicks boomed into the box. It's the second weekly award this fall for Garofalo, the conference's reigning Defender of the Year. 

With the two ties this week, Binghamton has extended its regular season unbeaten streak to 18 games (11-0-7) dating back to August 2025. The Bearcats are the only America East team in conference history to start the season with five consecutive shutouts. Binghamton is one of just five teams across the country to begin the season with five shutouts (Stanford, Wake Forest, Long Beach State, Saint Mary's). 

The Bearcats put their unbeaten and shutout streaks on the line when they welcome ACC member Syracuse Thursday night.