VESTAL, N.Y. – 110 minutes of action wasn't enough to decipher a winner during the America East Quarterfinal between the Catamounts and the Bearcats, resulting in a shootout to determine a winner from Vestal, N.Y. on Sunday evening. Binghamton (7-5-5, 4-2-2 AE) advanced to the next round after outscoring Vermont (8-5-5, 3-4-1 AE) in the shootout, 3-2.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We all know the story with shootouts and how they go, and I thought both keepers were very good to step in to that situation cold and do what they did," said Head Coach Kristi Huizenga. "As for the game, we are incredibly proud of how we played today on both sides of the ball. Kylee and the backline were near perfect to only allow a couple of free looks and were able to create a number of great chances including breakaways and a couple of posts and thought we were a little unlucky not to get it done in regulation. The group of departing seniors is a group of pure class and has left their mark on the program far beyond the record books in immeasurable ways."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the 15th minute of play, Vermont almost cashed in on the opening goal when Sydney Remington found space slightly outside the goalie's box, ripping a shot to the bottom left corner, but Kaitlyn Williams was there to make the diving save to keep the match scoreless.
• Binghamton bounced back, seeing their best chance of the opening half in the 34th minute when Hannah Mimas broke free in the keeper's box, firing a shot on net from point blank range, but Kylee Carafoli was there to stand tall, making a spectacular one handed save to keep the Bearcats off the scoreboard as both teams entered halftime scoreless, 0-0.
• The second half was loaded with opportunities for both programs, seeing Binghamton strike the post on two separate occasions and Laney Ross ringing the crossbar in the 81st minute along with numerous breakaway attempts for Vermont, but neither team could finish, as a scoreless second frame resulted in the match going to overtime.
• After two consecutive 10-minute overtime periods with solid defensive play from both squads, the match went into a shootout.
• Jill Brody and Vanessa Smith each found the back of the net for the Catamounts, pinning their shots low left, but four brilliant saves from Rebecca Kessler was the difference, as Binghamton advanced to the America East Semifinals.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vermont concludes the season with a record of 8-5-5, finishing with a .583-win percentage for the second year in a row. The Catamounts' five draws tie the most draws in a single season in program history, the last time doing so in 1986 when they went 7-6-5.
• This is the first match since 2018 where Vermont has gone the distance to PK's.
• Bailey Ayer's 12 goals this season is tied for second all-time in program history, joining Megan Mattes in the record books who scored 12 goals in a single season back in 1998.
• Ayer's 28 total points this season is third all-time in program history, scoring the most points in a single season since 2005 when Amy Cochran notched 25.
• Vermont's six All-Conference Selections this season are the most selections since the 2021 championship campaign, when they had nine total selections.
• The Catamounts 30 goals scored on the campaign marks the third season in four years recording 30 or more goals in a single season. The last time Vermont accomplished this feature was from the 1996-1998 seasons.
• 13 different Catamounts registered a point throughout the 2024 season.

 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's soccer program, follow @UVMwsoccer on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.

EastRise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer