After tying a program record with 16 goals in its last contest, the Binghamton men’s lacrosse team held off Canisius late on Tuesday, winning, 13-12.
Binghamton (4-6, 2-1 America East) got off to a slow start, finding the back of the net just twice in the first period, while the Golden Griffins (3-5, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) scored three times. The dormant Bearcat offense, however, came alive at the start of the second to score five straight goals. The defense stepped up to the occasion as well, holding Canisius scoreless in the second quarter.
The catalyst for BU’s offense was senior attackman Johnny Maher. Maher led the Bearcats in points with five on the game, netting one goal of his own and assisting on four others. Since switching from midfield to attack earlier in the season, Maher has proved to be the spark that BU’s young offense needs.
“He’s certainly running the show,” said head coach Scott Nelson. “He puts so much pressure on the back of the goal. Since we’ve moved him to attack it’s really changed everything we’ve done.”
After both teams scored three goals in the third, Binghamton headed to the fourth quarter leading the game, 10-6. BU has struggled to close out games this season, but was determined to flip the script against the Golden Griffins. Sophomore attack Thomas McAndrew opened scoring in the fourth to restore BU’s lead to five goals. After Canisius put the game within three, senior Zach Scaduto completed his hat trick to give BU a four-goal cushion.
“We love the way Zach plays,” Nelson said. “He’s turned into one of the best players in the conference.”
After BU junior attack Matthew Kaser scored to give Binghamton a 13-10 lead with just over two minutes to play, it seemed as though the Bearcats’ victory was secure. But, the resurgent Golden Griffins had other ideas. With just 35 seconds remaining in the game, sophomore attackman Ryan McKee narrowed the gap to two. With just five seconds on the clock, Canisius struck yet again to get within one. Time was not in the Golden Griffins’ favor, however, as Binghamton managed to hold on for the win.
The BU offense, led by Scaduto and Maher, carried the Bearcats to victory. Scaduto has scored nine goals in his last four games and has registered a point in every game this season. He currently leads the team with 20 goals on the year.
“Zach’s a gamer, he’s a terrific kid,” Nelson said. “Everything he does is good, from being a great leader to being a great player.”
The Bearcats have been a completely different team at home this season in comparison to their play on the road. They are 4-1 at the Bearcats Sports Complex, winning four straight games at home. BU averages 13.2 goals per game in Vestal, a staggering number when compared to their 6.6 goals-per-game average on the road. Nelson attributes BU’s success at home to a stronger possession game.
“It’s just how much we’ve had the ball,” Nelson said. “We’ve definitely had the ball more at home. The guys feel comfortable here and they hustle.”
The Bearcats will face their biggest test of the AE season against conference-leading Albany in their next contest. The Great Danes are currently ranked 10th in the NCAA in average goals per game, averaging 13.0.
“We’re going to have to play great Saturday night,” Nelson said. “We’ve got an opponent who, the last three or four years, has been terrific, so we’re going to have to go up there and play really well.”
First face-off between the two teams is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Tom and Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, New York.