CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Women's soccer begins America East Conference play this weekend, with four games slated for Sunday afternoon. The day is highlighted by a rematch of last year's America East title game, as Albany visits Boston University. Stony Brook will have the bye this week. Check out below for a full preview of each match-up:
Upcoming Games
Sunday, September 23
Vermont at Maine, 1 p.m. – Live Stats | Live Video
Orono, Maine
• Maine has used its defense to start 4-3-1, with three shutouts to rank third in the conference. Black Bear rookie keeper Lauren Swant has earned America East Rookie of the Week twice this season.
• Maine was in the title game two years ago, but failed to qualify for the America East Championship last season.
• Vermont earned a berth in the America East Championship for the first time since 2006 last season and returns all 11 starters.
• Bre Pletnik has led Vermont with three goals on the year.
Binghamton at Hartford, 2 p.m. – Live Stats
| Live Video
West Hartford, Conn.
• Hartford is coming off its best season since winning the league last year, and was tabbed second in the America East preseason poll.
• Amelia Pereira has been outstanding for the Hawks, sitting atop the conference with 15 points, scoring six goals and tallying three assists.
• Binghamton is off to a solid start, going 6-2 through its first eight games with one final non-conference match-up with MAAC favorite Marist on Friday night.
• Sarah Furminger has paced the Bearcats, leading the conference in goals per game (0.71) and game-winning goals (3).
Albany at Boston University, 2 p.m. – Live
Stats | Live
Video
Boston, Mass.
• Boston University and Albany begin conference play with a rematch of last year’s America East Championship game that saw the Terriers beat the Great Danes, 2-0.
• BU has won 25-straight and 42 of its last 43 America East contests. The Terriers were a unanimous pick to win the conference this year.
• Albany was picked to finish third this season after posting a 5-2-1 record in conference play last season.
• The Great Danes are paced offensively by Shayla Bergeron, who is second in the conference with 14 points, scoring six goals to go with two assists.
UMBC at New Hampshire, 2 p.m. – Live Stats | Live Video
Durham, N.H.
• New Hampshire plays just its second home game of the season when the Wildcats host the Retrievers on Sunday.
• The Wildcats finished fourth in the league last year, losing to Binghamton in the America East Championship Quarterfinal round.
• UMBC plays its first conference game under head coach Leslie Wray.
• Keeper Lauren Kadet has been impressive in net, ranking among the nation’s leaders in saves and leading the America East with 58 total stops.