The Bearcats received more scoring than they had in nearly a year on Sunday.
The Binghamton University men’s soccer team (6-2-0) defeated host Hartwick, 2-1, in a non-conference match. The Bearcats scored multiple goals for the first time since Oct. 11, 2006 ‘ a span of 13 matches with one goal or none.
The win ended BU’s two-game losing streak on the heels of its home opener against Cornell, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday. It’s the men’s team’s first match at the new Bearcat Sports Complex.
‘It was definitely important,’ said BU sophomore goalkeeper Jason Stenta of the win. ‘If we lost the game we would have been down on ourselves and our confidence would have been down ‘ we don’t usually lose two games in a row. We’re back on track going into our home opener, hopefully.’
Freshman Scott Zobre scored the decisive goal for Binghamton with 17 minutes left in the second half. Zobre netted the shot to the far post from 15 yards out on the right side for his first career goal. Junior Pablo Trillo had the assist.
‘Pablo, he’s one of our more creative players,’ BU coach Paul Marco said. ‘When he gets the ball, he can really bring others into the game.’
Junior Justin Leskow opened the scoring for Binghamton in the ninth minute off a cross from sophomore Cameron Keith. Leskow leads the team with two goals.
Hartwick’s Chris Jackson answered less than 1 1⁄2 minutes later with his team-best fourth goal of the season, off an assist from Austin McCann.
Marco said it was a credit to the Hawks’ offense that they were able to score that quickly.
‘They’re very good coming forward,’ Marco said. ‘I thought our defenders played well.’
‘In the first half they were always knocking on the door,’ Stenta said.
Stenta made two saves, one in each half. Hartwick (3-3-1), limited by the Bearcats midfielders, took eight shots to Binghamton’s 11. Though BU’s offense was not dominant, it was sufficient as it has been all season. Seven Bearcats have one goal each.
‘It still could emerge to be one guy, but right now we got a bunch of different guys scoring goals,’ Marco said. ‘It’s great to see that in any given moment, somebody can step up.’
Hartwick goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo made three saves. Hartwick had two shots and three corner kicks in the last five minutes of the game.
Notes: Zobre was named the America East Rookie of the Week for the week of Sept. 17 through 23. Adam Chavez and Jason Stenta have also earned America East weekly awards this season.