Seniors come through in final home game as Bearcats defeat Vermont 3-2

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. --Senior forward Tracy Kasmarcik (Binghamton, N.Y./ Susquehanna Valley) tied a season-high with two goals and classmate Irene Morales (New Rochelle, N.Y./ New Rochelle) assisted on another goal, leading Binghamton (9-6-2, 3-3-2 AE) to a critical 3-2 win over Vermont (5-8-3, 1-5-1 AE) in an America East Conference game at West Gym Field on Sunday. With the win, the Bearcats remain in contention for a spot in the conference tournament, which will begin in 10 days.

"This was a must win game for us," head coach Jeff Leightman said. "It got ugly at times but we had the killer instinct to finish it off."

Kasmarcik got the scoring started at the 19:12 mark, when she drilled a shot into the net from five yards out to make it 1-0 Bearcats. Juniors Tatiana Mathelier (Pomona, N.Y./ Saddle River Day) and Caitlin O'Shaughnessy (Stony Point, N.Y./ North Rockland) were credited with the assists. That lead, however, lasted just 14 seconds, as junior midfielder Kate Moran got by the Binghamton defense and then took a pass from freshman midfielder Kara McDonough and slid it in the net to deadlock the game at 1-1.

With the score tied, Binghamton come out firing in the second half as Morales took a corner kick and found sophomore defender Vicky Vernicek (Randolph, N.J./ Randolph) right in front of the goal. Vernicek then headed the ball home, reclaiming the lead for Binghamton just 1:16 into the second half. Kasmarcik then added an important goal at the 70:38 mark, as she took a pass from freshman defender Danielle White (Haddon Township, N.J./ Haddon Township) and went in on a breakaway to give Binghamton a 3-1 cushion.

Vermont wouldn't quit, however, as senior midfielder Sara Jablonski took a cross from freshman midfielder Amy Cochran and shot it in the net at the 73:03 mark. Still, the Bearcats were able to hang on for the win.

For the game, Binghamton outshot Vermont 20-14. Freshman keeper Kristie Bowers (Rochester, N.Y.) made seven saves for the Bearcats while senior Katie Duffy had nine saves for the Catamounts.

Binghamton concluded its regular season on Saturday at Boston at 1 p.m.

NOTE: The game against Vermont also marked the final regular season home game for senior midfielder Danielle Kosecki (Syracuse, N.Y./ Solvay).