Regular season champs: Stony Brook

No. 2 seed: UMBC

First round bye: The Seawolves and Retrievers

Heading into the America East playoffs with a little momentum: Priceless

Peter Sgueglia provided his Binghamton University men’s soccer team with a priceless overtime goal against the Boston Terriers in Wednesday’s regular season finale, ensuring the Bearcats the No. 3 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

The junior forward connected on a breakaway goal just over two minutes into the first sudden-death period to end the scoreless tie and guarantee the Bearcats’ seven seniors at least one more game at West Gym Field.

“It was a brilliant goal,” said junior forward Kyle Antos. “Give credit to Pete, he put the ball away. That’s what big time players do, they step up when they need to.”

Junior midfielder Bryan Arnault set up the breakaway with a 30-yard pass that wrong-footed Boston defender Zach Kirby and found Sgueglia’s path to the net.

“What a magnificent finish,” said head coach Paul Marco. “It was an unbelievable goal, one of the best of the season.”

Making the outcome that much sweeter, were the playoff implications that accompanied it. If the Terriers (6-8-3, 2-3-3 AE) would have prevailed in overtime, the Bearcats (11-4-3, 4-2-2 AE) would have departed yesterday for a first round playoff match at Boston.

“It’s great that we have a higher seed in the playoffs,” Sgueglia explained, “but it was more for the seniors because it was their day.”

Sgueglia was referring to the fact that Wednesday’s regular season finale was also Senior Day. All seven graduating Bearcats were honored before the game.

“To say I’m going to miss [the senior class] off the field as much as I am on the field is an understatement,” Marco said. “Those guys have been the backbone of who we are, who we’ve become and who we’re going to become. I can’t say enough about that class and the way they have changed the face of Binghamton University men’s soccer.”

While the 2005 senior class, which includes Danilo, Darius Ravangard and Graham Munro, has accomplished many feats over the last four years, a regular season crown isn’t one of them.

That distinction this season goes to the Stony Brook Seawolves, who earned the No. 1 seed with a 3-2 victory at UMBC. The loss dropped the Retrievers to second place in the conference.

“I think the regular season could have went better,” said senior back Ryan Pierce, “but as long as we win the America East playoffs, that’s all that matters.”

Even though the seniors didn’t get their regular season title, they did achieve one goal that had always eluded them. For the first time in five matchups, the Bearcats finally defeated the Terriers.

Boston held a 3-0-1 advantage going into Wednesday’s contest, including last year’s conference championship victory and a regular season win that ended Binghamton’s 20-game unbeaten streak.

After defeating the Terriers, the Bearcats were still unsure of which team they would face in the opening round of the playoffs, with a few possibilities resting on other America East outcomes.

“Throw anyone at us, we’ll take them,” said Pierce after the game. “Bring Boston again, I’d love that.”

Well, Pierce got his wish. With an Albany win and a Hartford loss, the Terriers were awarded the No. 6 seed and the opportunity to avenge their loss.

At least for Bearcat fans, Sgueglia ensured the rematch will take place at West Gym Field.

Extra notes on Kyle Antos:

A major reason why the Bearcats earned the No. 3 seed Wednesday was the determination of junior midfielder Kyle Antos.

“Kyle was the difference maker,” said head coach Paul Marco. “I thought his energy was fantastic, he made good decisions on the ball and he won a lot of balls in the air.”

Antos had to fill in at the center midfield position for Danilo, who was suspended for picking up his fifth yellow card in the previous game.

“With Danilo sitting out, I came in with high expectations for myself,” Antos said. “Those are big shoes to fill.”