Bearcats rally late for 3-2 win over UMass

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. - Binghamton (6-4) scored twice in the game's final 10 minutes to earn a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over host UMass in a rain-soaked women's soccer game Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats trailed 2-1 before netting a pair of goals in a 2:36 span late in the game. Despite being outshot 21-10, BU kept the Minutewomen at bay for much of the game, and capitalized in the closing minutes. Binghamton raised its non-conference mark to 6-3 in 2003, with the team's remaining eight games all against America East Conference opponents.

"We really played well in the second half," head coach Jeff Leightman said. "This win should give us confidence and momentum heading into our America East games."

Sophomore defender Vicky Vernicek (Randolph, N.J.) collected two assists, back line mate Meghan Taylor (Campbell Hall, N.Y.) picked up a goal, and freshmen strikers Danielle White (Haddon Township, N.J.) and Kelly Burnham (Endicott, N.Y.) scored the tying and game-winning goals, respectively.

UMass scored in the game's 32nd minute to take the early 1-0 lead. Less than eight minutes later, however, Vernicek sent a free kick into the box where Taylor flicked it past the keeper to send the teams into halftime notted at 1-1. Early in the second half, the Minutewomen moved in front on a header of their own in the 52nd minute. The hosts held the one-goal lead for nearly 30 minutes before White scored her team-high fifth goal of the season at the 80:15 mark. Then with the score tied at 2-2, Burnham collected a free kick from Vernicek and beat the keeper for her third goal of the season.

Freshman keeper Kristie Bowers (Rochester, N.Y.) made nine saves.

Binghamton returns to action on Thursday with an away game at America East foe Northeastern.