Home field advantage, n. — Edge the home team is expected to have as a result of familiarity with the arena and effect of travel on the visiting team.

For the Binghamton men’s soccer team, home field advantage is defined by more than an “edge.” When the No. 2 seed Vermont Catamounts come to the West Gym Field on Saturday, they will face a No. 1 Bearcat team that has gone undefeated in its last 12 home games.

“It’s a tremendous advantage. The home field team has won the last six championships,” said head coach Paul Marco. “I think, though, this year Vermont is the favorite, on paper. They’re deeper than we are, but it’s hard to beat the Bearcats at home.”

Vermont is one of the highest scoring teams in the conference, but when it comes to experience in the big game, Binghamton has the clear-cut advantage. The Bearcats have appeared in the last three America East championships, an experience which has given their upperclassmen familiarity with the pressure.

All three of Binghamton’s championship games in the past were decided in penalty kicks. Another penalty kick situation would seem to benefit the Catamounts, who have a junior goalie. Binghamton’s goalie, Jason Stenta, is just a freshman, but that does not worry Marco.

“He’s good at pressure situations; he’s got confidence,” Marco said. “He’s a very good goalkeeper and a great shot-stopper, so I think he’s up for the challenge.”

When the two teams met earlier in the season, it was a battle for the regular season crown, and Binghamton won the title by virtue of a scoreless tie. The Bearcats had a good defensive game that day, and they’ll need another one on Saturday.

After an emotional win on Wednesday, Marco believes his team needs to be more consistent in order to win the championship. With just two days of rest, he’s focused on giving his starters rest and discussing game strategy.

“I think the guys will just be focused and ready,” Marco said. “A lot of time and energy, and not just in the last two months, has gone into where we are now.”

The championship game is set to start tomorrow at 1 p.m., and the men’s basketball exhibition has been pushed back to 4 p.m. The price is $2 for students with I.D. and $6 general admission.

BY THE NUMBERS:

2: Binghamton won two games in 2001, the year before Paul Marco’s hiring.

4: In a streak dating back to just two years after that season, the Bearcats have advanced to four straight America East championships.