The Bearcats kept Syracuse senior midfielder Richard Asante, a right footed player, on his left foot the whole game. Then, with about 15 minutes to play in regulation, Binghamton cleared an Orange throw in to where Asante was positioned, about 40 yards from goal. He dribbled, and, for the first time all game, was able to utilize his right foot, and he made BU pay for granting the opportunity, scoring a blast of a goal from over 30 yards away.

Asante’s goal would be the only of the game, as the Binghamton men’s soccer team (2-5-3) fell to Syracuse on the road (4-4) Wednesday night by a score of 1-0.

BU actually outshot the Orange 11-7 on the day, but was unable to score as Syracuse snapped a four-game losing streak. Freshman goalie Andrew Usyk and sophomore goalie Robert Smith combined to give SU its second shutout of the season and its first road win.

According to head coach Paul Marco, Binghamton was too concerned with possession instead of scoring.

“I was very disappointed from a standpoint of we worked so hard, we created so much,” Marco said. “So many times we could’ve just attempted to get the goal, to create the opportunity to score a goal, and then instead we would turn the ball back and keep possession.”

Freshman Bearcat goalie Jason Stenta allowed a goal for the first time in three games, and has played well in place of junior Ryan Bertoni, who was originally moved out of goal because of injuries elsewhere on the field, but then suffered a facial fracture himself. Bertoni, as well as sophomore midfielder Cody Germain, who hurt his ACL, are out indefinitely.

Injuries have been a part of life during the Bearcats’ first ten games, which were filled with position changes and a search for team identity. Other players are currently having their health evaluated.

“To be honest with you, we’re really thin right now, we only have 17 fit players to travel,” Marco said.

Wednesday was the Bearcats’ final non-conference game of the season, as America East play opens up on Saturday when BU heads to Maine (0-8-0). Despite Binghamton’s losing record, the team has made headway since starting the season 0-3-1.

“I thought we played actually quite well [on Wednesday],” Marco said. “I think over the last two weeks we’ve been playing pretty good soccer.”

Binghamton was originally anticipating Syracuse to play a 4-3-3 as it had previously this season, but the Orange actually came out in a 4-4-2 in adjustment to the Bearcats, who play in a system that shifts during a game.

“We really don’t play in a system,” Marco said. “We play with some guys, who are at the back, and some guys who are at midfield, and then some guys who are up front, and then we have guys who can move into layers. So we started out in a 4-4-2 and ended up playing a 4-5-1, and ended up playing a 4-3-3.”

Binghamton played Syracuse tough on Wednesday, and were it not for one incredible shot from Asante, the Bearcats may well have entered conference play on a two-game winning streak.