BOSTON - In a rematch of the 2007 America East Women's Soccer Championship game, Boston University (10-5-1overall, 5-0-0 America East) downed New Hampshire (5-9-1, 4-2-0), 1-0, on Farrell McClernon's goal in the 72nd minute at Nickerson Field on Thursday evening to hold on to sole possession of first place in the conference standings with just over a week to play.
In other action on Thursday, Hartford (7-4-4, 4-1-1) moved into second place in the standings with a 3-1 win over Binghamton (5-7-1, 1-4-0) at Al-Marzook Field. All three of the Hawks' scores came in the second half, including a pair by Lauren Aldred, who leads America East with eight goals on the season.
In Albany, Trine Allenberg scored with 4:03 remaining in regulation to break a 2-2 deadlock and give Stony Brook (8-6-0, 4-1-0) a 3-2 victory over Albany (3-13-0, 1-4-0) at Varsity Field.
In Burlington, Vt., Vermont (3-12-0, 1-4-0) 0erupted for five goals, including two by Lexi Kaknes, en route to a 5-0 victory over UMBC (2-14-0, 1-5-0) at Centennial Field. The five scores were the most by one team in an America East game since Hartford beat the Retrievers 5-0 on Oct. 15, 2006. The five-goal margin of victory is also the largest since 2006.
The Terriers, who host Stony Brook on Sunday at 1 p.m., can clinch a share of the regular-season title, their sixth in nine years, and the top seed for the 2008 Women's Soccer Championship with a win over the Seawolves and a New Hampshire win over Hartford. The Hawks, who have clinched a berth in the tournament field host the Wildcats at 1 p.m. Also on Sunday, Maine hosts Vermont at 1 p.m. and Albany travels to Binghamton for a 6 p.m. match. In nonleague action, UMBC takes on in-state rival Navy at 1 p.m.