Binghamton

Offense: The Bearcats go way beyond America East Striker of the Year Cameron Keith. Barry Neville and Matt Narode were also named all-conference, and if you focus on those guys, Justin Leskow can make opponents pay. EDGE: BINGHAMTON

Defense: The Bearcats will be getting America East Defender of the Year Adam Chavez back for Saturday’s game, but the unit functioned fine without him in the semifinals. Kyle Manscuk, Mark Wood, Kyle Kucharski and Liam Carson helped hold a very talented and quick UMBC offense scoreless.

Goalies: Jason Stenta already led the conference in shutouts before holding the Retrievers scoreless on Wednesday, and he’s quickly emerging as the face of America East soccer. He hasn’t been tested much thanks to BU’s backline, but there’s no reason to think Stenta won’t be up to the task in his second straight AE final.

Coaches: Paul Marco and his staff were rewarded for their endless preparation and spot-on recruiting last week when they were named America East Coaching Staff of the Year. Marco is the hardest working coach in the league, someone who knows every team in and out. But it is assistant John Scott who is the silent hero here. The seventh-year assistant, who played for the EPL’s Liverpool FC, has used his Scottish roots to bring in quality recruits like Cameron Keith, Barry Neville and Liam Carson. EDGE: BINGHAMTON

Intangibles: The Bearcats haven’t lost a game at home since Oct. 5, 2005, and have outscored opponents 17-1 at the Bearcats Sports Complex this season. The combination of a night game and the Bearcat Hooligans also gives Binghamton some advantages. EDGE: BINGHAMTON

Vermont

Offense: The Catamounts scored two first half goals in the AE semifinals against New Hampshire despite being down to 10 men thanks to an early red card. Despite the offensive outburst against the Wildcats, UVM is not a scoring team. T.J. Gore is dangerous.

Defense: Defense is Vermont’s specialty. Connor Tobin was named first-team all-conference and Panos Georgiadis was named to the second team. After struggling against a tough non-conference schedule, the Catamounts allowed only one goal in AE play. EDGE: VERMONT

Goalies: In Pipe Dream’s opinion, Roger Scully was robbed of the AE Goalkeeper of the Year award. The second team all-conference player had eight shutouts during America East play, including four save performances during a 2-0 victory over Binghamton on Halloween. EDGE: VERMONT

Coaches: Jesse Cormier, Paul Marco’s former assistant at West Virginia, has guided the Catamounts to the AE Tournament in each of his five years leading his alma mater, picking up second-place finishes in the last two seasons. His 2006 recruiting class was voted No. 36 in the nation.

Intangibles: The Catamounts are hungry ‘ they dominated New Hampshire in the finals and have dominated the America East all season. If not for a penalty, they might be defending champions. The last time they faced Binghamton, the Catamounts dominated ‘ and they have looked unbeatable in America East play.

Bottom line: This game is impossible to predict. These are the two best teams in the America East, and the only guarantee is a great game.