The good news for Binghamton University’s men’s soccer team during their game against Hartwick was that they extended their unbeaten streak to seven. The bad news was they did not secure a win.

The Bearcats (4-1-3) tied the visiting Hawks (1-3-4) 0-0 through regulation and two overtime periods at the Bearcats Sports Complex on Sept. 23.

It looked as if the Bearcats would be defeated with 47 seconds left in the first overtime period when Hartwick acted with three inside the box. Hartwick freshman Dan Summers took a cross and fired it point blank at the net, but Bearcat goalie Jason Stenta quickly turned and made a diving catch at the last moment to preserve the tie.

“The ball was going from my right to my left,” Stenta said. “I was just working on getting my feet over and then getting in position with the shot, so as soon as it came, I was ready to make a step and a diving save to keep us in the match.”

Hartwick threatened again 40 seconds later when junior Brian Gordon sent another hard shot flying at Stenta. Stenta, just wanting to stop Hartwick’s momentum before the period was done, grabbed the shot and held on until time expired.

The first half was a slow one for Binghamton fans, as the team’s first shot didn’t come until 30 minutes into the game when freshman Andy Tiedt sent one wide. The second half had little extra excitement as Binghamton only got two shots off, one of which was wide.

“Our guys put in a good amount of effort in the match,” said Binghamton head coach Paul Marco. “We just weren’t very good; we weren’t clean with the ball like we normally are, [and] we didn’t move the ball quickly enough.”

The Bearcats did come out aggressively in the first overtime period, however, attacking with three shots within five minutes of each other.

“Overtime is all about competitive spirit and still playing soccer, but still trying to do the things you do well,” Marco said. “I thought it wasn’t until overtime that we really got to see good quality soccer in the way we should have been playing a little bit more in the first and second halves,”

The Bearcats’ big shots, however, weren’t big enough as Hartwick keeper, Jeremy Vuolo, fended them off.

“I thought their goalkeeper in overtime was fantastic; he made two great saves,” Marco said. “[If not], those are goals.”

Overall the men’s team can’t complain about extending its unbeaten streak to seven, but they are certainly disappointed at not getting a win at home.

“We had chances and we missed a couple,” Stenta said. “We’re pleased with not losing, but at the same time, we could have done better.”

The Bearcats have this weekend off to help them get prepared for the upcoming conference road games against Albany and Boston University Oct. 8 and 11, respectively.