One big match. One big crowd. One bigger goal from Ryan Walter.
In front of the third-largest crowd in the history of the Bearcats Sports Complex, Binghamton University men’s soccer team (3-4-3, 1-0-1 America East) edged out conference rival Vermont (6-4-3, 1-1-0 AE) for a 1-0 victory in the annual homecoming match in front of 2,240 students, alumni and fans. Binghamton extended its unbeaten streak to six games (3-0-3) with the win.
The lone goal of the contest was netted by junior midfielder Walter just over 14 minutes into the match. Sophomore midfielder Adam Whitehead was credited with the assist after he reeled off a long shot at the Vermont goalkeeper; the goalie stopped it but could not gain possession of the ball. Walter was already on his way to the goal after he saw Whitehead wind up to shoot, and the ball bounced right to him, allowing him to tap it into the net.
‘I saw Adam take a touch and look up at the goal, so I knew he was shooting,’ Walter said. ‘I ran in immediately, ball bounced to me, I took a little time to build some suspense and then put it away. A world-class goal.’
Bearcats head coach Paul Marco emphasized the quality of opportunities that the team got, even though only one goal was scored in the match.
‘I thought our guys really came out and pushed the tempo of the game,’ he said. ‘We wanted to go after the game and try to use the crowd to our advantage, and I thought our guys’ energy level was fantastic. Vermont was very good. They’re a great team, and I’m glad we got ’em down early.’
The 1-0 victory is the second match the Bearcats have won by that score this year. They also defeated nationally-ranked Lafayette 1-0 on Sept. 17.
‘It feels great seeing 1-0 up there [on the scoreboard] and knowing that you put it up there.,’ Walter said of scoring the only goal.
Marco was also sure to point out Walter’s intangible contributions to the match that don’t show up on the score sheet.
‘He was everywhere,’ Marco said. ‘I was really proud of our guys tonight. I thought they did a great job.’
The third-largest crowd in facility history provided a distinct home field advantage for the Bearcats as well.
‘It was great,’ Walter said of the crowd. ‘I couldn’t ask for anything better. The fans were great, and hopefully they’ll come out for the next home game.’
When Whitehead was asked about the impact of the crowd, he put it quite simply: ‘It was big, wasn’t it?’
Marco was exceptionally impressed with the attendance at the game.
‘For our guys to respond to the crowd, it’s what you expect. It’s what we’ve wanted to build when I first got here in 2002. The last few years have been special, and it’s only gonna get better.’
Walter was named America East Player of the Game, along with Catamounts goalkeeper Xan Rousselle, who made a couple of brilliant saves in the match. But Marco also stressed the invaluable play of Whitehead, who he also thought deserved to be the man of the match.
‘Adam Whitehead was outstanding,’ he said. ‘To me, he was special. He’s always great with a soccer ball, and today he defended a little bit ‘ his strike at the goalkeeper was so difficult, and I was really impressed with how he played for us. He was clever when he needed to be, and he was simple when he should be.’
The Bearcats controlled the pace for the majority of the match. They held an edge in shots 12-7 and in corner kicks by an 8-4 margin. Both goalies ‘ Rousselle and Bearcats keeper Chris Hayen ‘ recorded three saves. Hayen was named America East Rookie of the Week for his performance in the match. According to Marco, goaltending is one of the more critical points in an intense conference match.
‘This year the America East is very good,’ he said. ‘It could be one of our better years as a conference as a whole ‘ I think all of the games are gonna be tight like this one ‘ We’ll have to be sharp in the goalkeeping position; I thought Chris Hayen was great, and I thought the back line was fantastic.’
‘Conference is totally different,’ Walter said of the match. ‘The season doesn’t really start until we get to conference.’
The Bearcats are now 1-0-1 through two conference matches with five more conference games left to play before the postseason. The team’s next challenge will be the Hartford Hawks, who are set to come to Binghamton on Wednesday.
‘I’m expecting a good team,’ Marco said of the Hawks. ‘They’ve got talent and good technique.’
‘We’re undefeated in conference,’ Walter said. ‘So we gotta keep it going into our next game.’
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Bearcats Sports Complex.