Women’s soccer preview: Young Bearcats seek more offense

Binghamton women’s soccer head coach Neel Bhattacharjee heads into his second year and is quickly assembling the building blocks his Bearcats will need to make an upward move in the America East. Bhattacharjee will lean on a reliable defense, veteran keeper and strong sophomore class to spearhead a Binghamton University program whose only question mark has been consistent finishing in the offensive third.

Eight starters return from a 2016 squad that jumped out to a 4-2-2 start before a six-game scoring drought took the steam out of the season. Despite the lack of offensive production, the Bearcats (6-10-2, 2-6 AE) were one win away from reaching the postseason - a detail not lost on Bhattacharjee and the returnees.

“Missing out on the postseason left a bitter taste in our mouths,” he said of last year’s squad coming up essentially one-goal short. “It’s been the driving factor through the spring and into our fall preseason.”

While the strength of the team remains its back line and defensive organization, Bhattacharjee believes new talent up top and more depth up and down the roster will make his 2017 team a threat come late October.

“As a young team (19 of 27 players are in first or second year) we want to see development over time,” he said. “We will be a different team in late September and October than in August as our freshmen start to make adjustments. But making the America East tournament is our minimal goal. We have the personnel to do that.”

GOALKEEPER

Senior tri-captain Katie Hatziyianis returns for her final season as a three-year starter. An athletic and confident leader in back, Hatziyianis is capable of making game-changing saves and she posted a 1.21 goals against average and four shutouts a year ago. She has made 183 combined saves in the last two seasons, including a 107 total in 2015 that ranked No. 2 all-time in program history.

Freshmen Mackenzie Hanna and Kate Annesi provide excellent depth as heir apparents between the pipes. Hanna, a highly-decorated scholastic player, will push for time right away, thanks to a big frame and good hands. Annesi impressed the coaching staff at the prospect clinics and has a tremendous upside.

BACK LINE

This unit lost graduated veteran Allison Mack but still returns three starters and gains another back from injury. Heading the group is senior tri-captain Hannah Shankman, who patrols the left side. The sturdy defender has started 44 career games, can serve with either foot and is an attacking option out of the back.

Sophomore Sam O’Malley had an outstanding freshman season on the right side, starting 17 games and displaying tenacious defending and counterattacking. Bhattacharjee believes she is one of the top defenders in the conference, despite a conspicuous snub from the All-Rookie team a year ago.

Sophomore Lauren Spinnato returns to occupy a center back spot after starting 17 games as a freshman. A technical and composed defender, Spinnato can also dribble out of the back and start the attack.

In Bhattacharjee’s 4-3-3 scheme, freshman Erin Theiller, an all-state midfielder from John Jay East Fishkill, will start in the center after a strong preseason. She provides good linking ability and is comfortable on the ball.

Bolstering the defensive unit is senior tri-captain Emma Maslin, who missed the 2016 season with an injury but when healthy, has been one of the program’s most talented players. Respected for her leadership and determination, Maslin will see minutes on the outside.

After a productive first collegiate season, sophomore Barbara Badeer returns as a viable option in back. She started 14 games and then made good strides in the spring development season. She is another versatile athlete who can play anywhere in the midfield or at outside back.

Olivia Price, a Class AA all-state midfielder while at West Genesee High, can play on the outside or move up to the holding midfield position. Price brings versatility, toughness and composure on the ball.

Junior run-all-day athlete Kaycee Pickard can fill in at the middle spots as well.

MIDFIELD

Junior Patty Loonie anchors this unit at the holding midfielder position. Loonie is the team’s best ball-winner and is a consistent threat on set pieces. She made 12 starts last season and tallied two goals, including a game-winner.

Sophomore Carly Barnett has returned from an injury that ended her promising freshman season after six starts. A talented athlete with top fitness and technical skill, Barnett will serve as Bhattacharjee’s box-to-box midfielder.

Senior Valerie McNamara is expected to provide crucial minutes in the middle as well. The four-year veteran has played in more career games than any Bearcat field player (47) and is confident with the ball at her feet.

Freshmen Dora Hayes and Chloe Tracy will see big minutes in their career-opening seasons. Hayes is creative on the ball, is capable of playing out of pressure and will set up in the attacking midfield role. Tracy, from nearby Sayre, Pa., comes to Binghamton after producing an eye-popping scholastic career that featured three all-state honors, 107 career goals and 129 assists.

Sophomores Rachel Parsons and Abby Wick are each composed attacking midfielders with good vision. The unit is improved with freshman Ivana Pjetri, a late addition and former all-state midfielder at Yorktown High.

FORWARD

After graduating two starters, this unit will show the most dramatic change. Newcomers Kayla Saager and Genna Michitti will log heavy minutes. After sitting out last season after transferring from West Virginia, Saager gives Binghamton a central target up front that was lacking a year ago. A dangerous player who can hold the ball and finish inside the 18, Saager will have two years as a Bearcat and is eager to contribute.

Michitti, a local standout at Seton Catholic and Maine-Endwell high schools, scored 94 career goals and earned three all-state selections. She has a great work rate and tends to wear down defenders. Bhattacharjee thinks she will be one of the top freshmen in the conference in 2017.

On the outside, look for sophomore Ryan Reilly to continue her high work rate and pace. Reilly started all 18 games as a freshman and has worked to raise her conversion rate around the goal.

Freshman Essie Bonney, Bhattacharjee’s furthest recruit from Los Angeles, will garner minutes up front. She is a tremendous athlete who brings an added dimension on the attack.

Sophomore Sydney Corda played in all 18 games with eight starts as a freshman, and she possesses a great work rate. Senior Dominique Russell and freshman Sarah Dibble round out a deep unit. A five-year starter at Sachem North high, Dibble brings an exciting option on one of the wings, where she shows good pace and touch with either foot.

Bhattacharjee projects that this unit needs to double last year’s production (12 goals) for the team to reach its goals.

OUTLOOK

Keeping the core defensive organization while lifting the attack to a competitive level is Binghamton’s recipe for success. Bhattacharjee believes his team will be quicker and cleaner on the ball and with new personnel, offer a higher overall level of play. The players have a “27 strong” motto, owing its name to the much-improved team depth and talent.

“We have more depth at every position and more competition and athleticism all over the field,” he said. “We are working on a higher conversion rate, getting more shots on target and finishing. We want to be creative and attack-minded in the final third.”

If the Bearcats can dial up the offense in 2017, look for the team to be in the thick of things come playoff time.