Today’s men’s lacrosse game between Binghamton and Drexel will provide more than a non-conference rivalry. It’s Senior Day for the Bearcats’ first Division I recruiting class. All seven seniors will wear their home jerseys for the last time, after years of victory, defeat, learning and, most importantly, building.

“Words can’t describe a group that has been with us for four years and started the program,” said head coach Ed Stephenson.

In their four years, the seniors helped create what has become one of Binghamton’s most successful teams. Their achievements include earning a perfect America East record in 2004 — the year that goalie Kevin McKeown became BU’s first male All-American — as well as earning a No. 16 ranking in the national polls earlier this season.

“It means a lot to me,” senior captain McKeown said. “Coming in here four years ago, I didn’t know what to expect, really, or what kind of success we were going to have in the future … but everything we’ve done here I’m real proud of, and it’s going to be tough to walk away from.”

The class was not without its struggles, losing several players throughout the years.

“We’re all really tight,” said defenseman Sean Meluney. “We’ve lost a lot of kids along the way, so the ones that are still left, we’re real close.”

“These guys came here, and I told them we were going to play the top teams in the country,” Stephenson explained. “They had to believe in my vision of where we were going, and where we were heading.”

Midfielder Brian Chaapel, along with McKeown, was a four-year captain, which is kind of unheard of in collegiate sports according to Stephenson.

Stephenson also said Meluney and Kevin Kaylor provided the anchor on the defensive end. Matt DeCirce, a local from Binghamton, was a mainstay on the midfield for four years. Midfielder David Burpoe and attack Scott Mitchell round out the accomplished group.

But no matter what happens on the field today, the seniors won’t be content to rest on their achievements from over the years. They will try once again to prevail in the looming America East playoffs, as Stephenson has one message for his team: “We still have a chance to make the NCAAs.”

BU HOPES TO GAIN SOME MOMENTUM

After losing three straight games to ranked opponents, the Binghamton men’s lacrosse team will try to refocus today, as non-conference opponent Drexel visits the East Gym Complex for the Bearcats’ final home game of the season.

“We still want to have momentum going into the America East playoffs,” said head coach Ed Stephenson.

Drexel (5-7) has beaten Binghamton (6-6) in two out of the last three outings, and the Bearcats are looking to exact revenge in front of their home crowd.

“We took a tough loss to them last year, so we want to get back at them and play a good game,” said senior goalie Kevin McKeown.

Drexel’s midfielders, many of whom contributed to the team’s win over Binghamton last year, will lead the charge.

“Their strongest point is their midfield,” Stephenson said. “They’re real strong, and they’re pretty deep. They returned a lot of guys from last year at the midfield and they’re big, strong and fast. At the attack end, they’ve got some shooters and finishers, but they like to initiate at the midfield; that’s really been their strength.”

Like Binghamton, Drexel has been weak on ground balls, meaning that midfield play will likely decide the outcome of the game. Freshman J.P. Wioncek gives the Bearcats an advantage on faceoffs by winning an impressive 55 percent of his draws.

Though the Dragons have a losing overall record, they have played tough opponents, including No. 1 Virginia, No. 2 Hofstra and BU’s America East rival Albany.

The teams will face off at 4 p.m., after the conclusion of today’s women’s lacrosse game.