Women's soccer rolls over LIU 4-0

VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer broke open a tight game with three second-half goals in a 21-minute span and the Bearcats (5-3-2) remained unbeaten at home with a 4-0 victory over LIU (2-6-1) Sunday afternoon at the Sports Complex. With the win, BU finished up its non-conference slate on a four-game unbeaten string. Binghamton has outscored opponents 9-0 at home this season. "There was a lot that we liked today," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "We talked at half about our spacing and in the second half, things started to come together. Getting that second goal was really key ... the game opened up from there. We talk about being 24 deep and on a warm day like today, we wanted to play more players, keep a level of pace and lead to goals, which it did. We had a great day to celebrate our seniors and this was a good way for us to end our non-conference slate." Freshman defender Kayla MacKenzie got the team off to a great start with an unassisted goal just 1:25 into the contest. MacKenzie intercepted an errant pass on the left in LIU's defensive third and dribbled past the final defender before cutting toward goal and slotting it under the rushing keeper from five yards out. It was her second goal in the last three games. In the second half, BU started to put pressure on the Blackbirds' flat back line and cashed in with tallies in the 63rd, 71st and 84th minutes. Binghamton outshot LIU 10-2 in the second half and 14-5 for the game. Sophomore forward Essie Bonney was the recipient of a stellar cross from junior linemate Ryan Reilly in the 63rd minute and bodied the ball into the net to make it 2-0. Junior midfielder Abby Wick began the play by springing Reilly free on the right wing. Reilly moved downfield before delivering a hard, curling cross that met Bonney on the doorstep for her first goal of the season. Senior striker Kayla Saager then did the rest of the damage, netting two goals in less than 14 minutes. On the first goal, she broke through 1-on-1 with the LIU keeper, who blocked her initial shot. But the rebound settled to Saager's foot and she knocked it into the empty net. In the 84th minute, Saager scored her eighth goal of the season after classmate Patty Loonie sent a through ball up the middle. Saager chipped it over the rushing keeper to finish the scoring. Freshman Haylee Poltorak made two saves and posted her third straight shutout. Poltorak lowered her season goals against average to 0.61. The Bearcats now have a week off before opening America East play with an away game at Vermont. NOTES Before the game, BU honored its three seniors: Kaycee Pickard, Patty Loonie and Kayla Saager.