If two’s company, three’s a crowd, so the Binghamton University men’s lacrosse team will look to avoid their third-straight loss when they play the University at Albany this Saturday.
The Bearcats fell to 1-6 on the season after two losses last week. On Wednesday afternoon, the Bearcats fell to the Bellarmine University Knights, 9-7. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Binghamton dropped a 13-4 decision to No. 2 Syracuse.
The Bearcats fell short against Bellarmine despite keeping the score close. Sophomore midfielder Frank Donlon scored two goals, a career high, while junior midfielder Steve Carlson also netted two goals. Junior attack Andy Cook, sophomore attack Brian Donahue and junior midfielder Chris Welch tallied one goal each. Senior attack Jake Boyce added two assists. Senior goalie Larry Kline was strong and made 13 saves in the contest.
Binghamton had their hands full in taking on the second-ranked Syracuse Orange on Saturday. Syracuse won the national championship last season and boasts a No. 2 ranking this season with a 5-1 record. The only loss for the team was against No. 1 ranked Virginia, a match in which they were defeated by just one goal. The Orange did not disappoint against the Bearcats, who have never beaten Syracuse in three meetings between the teams.
“We came out and played with a lot of heart,” Bearcats head coach Ed Stephenson said in a Binghamton University press release. “But that is one of the best teams in the country and one of the best offensive teams in the country.”
For the Bearcats, Boyce and Carlson each scored a goal, while senior midfielders Jonny Baron and Kevin Joy also scored a goal apiece. Kline was able to stop 13 shots for his second consecutive game.
The Bearcats gave Syracuse all they could handle in the early stages of the game. Binghamton was actually ahead 2-1 and later tied it at 3-3 early in the second quarter, but Syracuse used its depth to end the game on a 7-0 run. Nine different players scored in the game for the Orange, as junior attack Chris Daniello led Syracuse with three goals. Syracuse is now 3-0 all-time against the Bearcats, winning by a total score of 45-16.
The next game for the Bearcats will be against Albany in the first conference matchup of the season.
Albany currently ranks No. 18 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll with a 4-2 record.
The game will take place this Saturday at 7p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.