Bearcats play to 1-1 tie against UMBC

Box score

ALBANY, N.Y. - Playing in weather conditions that included snow and wind, Binghamton (8-6-2, 2-3-2 AE) fought to a 1-1 deadlock against visiting UMBC (5-6-1, 2-3-1 AE) in an America East Conference women's soccer game on Wednesday at West Gym Field. With the tie, the Bearcats remain a point up on the Retreivers for the sixth and final playoff spot in the conference standings.

"We had our chances, especially after scoring our goal," head coach Jeff Leightman said. "But we got a little disorganized on defense at times, especially when they scored on us. UMBC played the longball a lot which opened up the game both ways."

After 40 minutes of scoreless action, UMBC got on the scoreboard first, as freshman midfielder Elizabeth Day took a cross from junior forward Missy Moore and fired it in the net at the 40:13 mark. The Retreivers then took a 1-0 lead into the half.

Binghamton got the equalizer just 7:29 into the second half when senior forward Tracy Kasmarcik (Binghamton, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) fired a cross to senior midfielder Danielle Kosecki (Syracuse, N.Y./ Solvay) who slid the ball into the net to even the game at 1-1.

With time ticking down in the first sudden-death overtime period, Binghamton appeared to have won the game on an own goal. It was, however, disallowed due to a foul and the two teams played 10 more scoreless minutes.

Both teams received solid goalkeeper throughout the game as sophomore Roubin Babaris of UMBC and freshman Kristie Bowers (Rochester, N.Y./ Greece Olympia) each made nine saves.

"Kristie has been the unsung hero on this team, Leightman said. "She replaced Lauren Cherry who had a great senior season last year and we can't be more pleased with how she has done, not just today, but all year."

For the game, Binghamton outshot UMBC 17-15.

The Bearcats host Vermont on Sunday at 1 p.m.