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VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton women’s soccer plays for the America East championship and NCAA tournament berth when the top-seeded Bearcats (9-3-5) host second-seeded Bryant (7-6-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bearcats Sports Complex. 

Fans can purchase tickets here. Adult tickets are $12 and youth 14 & under are $6. 

It’s the second time in six years that the Bearcats will play for the conference title and fifth time in program history. Binghamton is looking for its second-ever title and NCAA berth and first in 22 years (2004). After capturing the program’s fourth regular season title in the last five years, Binghamton advanced with a 2-0 semifinal win over UMBC last Sunday. Bryant posted a 2-0 home win over Maine to reach its first championship game. 

The Bearcats have gone 5-1-3 in their last nine games with the lone defeat coming in the regular-season finale after they had already clinched the top seed. Junior forward and reigning America East Striker of the Year Jahkaya Davis leads the conference with nine goals. Senior forward Paige Luke has eight assists, which ranks 32nd in the nation. Senior wing back Megan Baker has four assists and scored the opening goal in the semifinal on a successful penalty kick. Senior keeper Rebecca Kessler has produced a record-setting season with 11 shutouts and a paltry 0.47 goals against average. Kessler ranks second in the nation in shutouts and 11th in goals against average. 

Bryant is on a 5-1-2 in its last eight games and is unbeaten in its last four, which included a pair of wins against three-time reigning conference champion Maine. The Bulldogs have posted 10 shutouts on the season, including seven in their last eight games. Senior forward Samantha Zaslaw leads the team with eight goals. 

Binghamton leads the all-time series over Bryant, 7-1-2 and has an eight-game unbeaten streak (6-0-2) head-to-head. Seven weeks ago, the Bearcats posted a resounding 3-0 win at home. In that game on Sept. 27, the Bearcats pumped in three goals in a 28-minute second-half span, owned a 17-1 shots advantage, 63% possession and got goals from Luke, Davis and freshman midfielder Chelsea Donaldson. The Bearcats varied their lineup throughout the second half (24 subs) and registered 12 shots in the period. Bryant didn’t get its first shot until the 77th minute and Kessler didn’t have to make a save.  

The Bearcats are 4-1 at home in the series. Seven of the 10 games between the two teams have been decided by one goal or less. 

NOTE

Miller Auto Team is the presenting sponsor of Binghamton women’s soccer. Complimentary admission to all home games courtesy of Miller Auto Team.