Coming off a scoreless tie against Stony Brook University, the Binghamton University women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 contest to University at Albany yesterday.
Albany junior midfielder Casey Marks found the back of the net on the game’s first shot 14:56 into the contest. Senior midfielder Rebecca Lee assisted the goal on a corner kick.
Binghamton head coach Sarah McClellan noticed an initial difference between the two teams, attributing the goal to Albany’s (3-9, 1-2 America East) early focus.
“Albany came out pretty well in the first half and got locked in,” she said. “It was very unfortunate because we didn’t come out as strong as we could have.”
Binghamton (4-7-1, 1-2-1 AE) launched five shots toward the net in the first half, but two went wide. Three were corralled by Jacky Ubert, Albany’s freshman goalkeeper.
McClellan noted that junior forward Candice Rowland had two quality shots in the half, but Ubert prevented both of them from reaching the back of the net.
“Their keeper made a nice reaction save on one [of Rowland’s shots] that looked to be a really quality chance for us,” McClellan said.
Albany recorded three errant shots in addition to its goal.
In the second half, Binghamton dominated the shot chart, recording 12 shots to Albany’s three. The Bearcats had several legitimate scoring opportunities but couldn’t capitalize.
“We had some good crosses and loose balls in front of their box,” McClellan said. “We had a couple of corner kicks. We were knocking on the door the whole half, but it just didn’t come.”
The failure to produce a goal resulted in the seventh time Binghamton has been shut out this season. However, like Thursday, the Bearcats have never been out of a game — each loss has been by a 1-0 margin, and three have come in overtime.
McClellan praised her defense and emphasized its importance to the team’s chances.
“We couldn’t really ask too much more of them,” she said. “They’re still part of our offense — it’s all 11 players on the field — but it is clear that we’ve got to continue with our sharpness in our defense because that is keeping us in the hunt to win every game.”
Binghamton hadn’t lost to the Great Danes since 2007.
In their next game, the Bearcats will travel to Boston for a Sunday matinee against Boston University.
The Terriers (11-2-1, 4-0 AE), who have not yet lost on their home turf, flaunt the conference’s most potent offense, averaging two goals per game.
Boston’s defense is stingy as well. Opponents have scored just 0.64 goals per game against the Terriers.
Boston has a decorated résumé after beating nationally ranked University of Portland and tying Boston College.
The Bearcats fell to the Terriers in the teams’ only meeting last season, 4-0.
McClellan said she hopes her team can emulate Thursday’s second-half effort in both halves on Sunday.
“In the past we haven’t put a full game where we’ve been completely focused in every moment against Boston,” she said. “That will show us that we’ve taken some steps forward by being able to compete with them for a full 90 minutes.”
Binghamton currently resides in fifth place in the America East. Six out of the nine teams in the conference make the America East tournament, which is set to begin on Oct. 27.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” McClellan said. “But … we’re in striking distance of trying to get in the conference tournament.”
Sunday’s opening kick is set for 1 p.m. at Boston University’s Nickerson field.