Most of the student body at Binghamton was not here to witness the opening of the Events Center, yet whenever basketball season comes around year after year, we can’t wait to head down there to watch a game. Well, now you have the chance to be there from the beginning, as the Bearcat Sports Complex will make its debut tonight for the women’s soccer match against Syracuse at 7 p.m.

The $3.6 million project will be the home of the men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse teams and looks more like a real college stadium, especially compared to what the teams played on prior to their new home, which was more like a field at a recreation park.

The Complex, adjacent to the Events Center, includes a pair of synthetic turf fields; one for games and one designed for practices. Both fields will be 120 feet by 75 feet. The seating capacity at the playing field will be 2,534, while the practice field will have seating for 1,000. Both fields will have lighting and the game field will have a press box; there will be a concession building with restrooms between the two fields.

When they announced they were building synthetic turf fields with lights and the whole nine yards for this season, I expected it to be completed in the same length of time as the construction being done on campus: forever. Yet credit must be given where it’s due, as the Complex is ready to go for tonight’s opener.

And you should have no excuse to not be there.

It’s not a Saturday or Sunday morning, so you aren’t sleeping or hungover from the night before, and it won’t interfere with your nightlife. A 7 p.m. game means you can still make it to the Rat for beer pong by 9 p.m.

And if you are thinking right now that you don’t have the extra couple of dollars to spend (even though I am sure you went home this weekend to get a little refill from the parental units), it’s OK. The match is free for students.

And no, we don’t have a football team, but complaining about it isn’t going to get us one. As students, we have to work with what we have, and what we have are some amazing sports teams and a beautiful new complex.

Yes, it’s true our women’s soccer team has yet to win a game, but what better way to get them started than at home in front of a couple thousand fans under the lights?

It doesn’t matter if you can’t name the best player on the women’s soccer team (Tricia Reed), or her position (midfield), or her number (10). What matters first and foremost is that you are there as part of the amazing atmosphere and alongside your fellow classmates that make up the BU Zoo. And who knows, you may actually learn something or find yourself cheering. It’s OK ‘ don’t be alarmed. It’s perfectly socially acceptable and by all means encouraged to have school spirit.

So reach down into your inner soccer hooligan and be part of history.