Just in time for Homecoming Weekend, when the Binghamton men’s soccer team typically draws its highest attendance of the season, the Bearcats have hit a lull. The Bearcats (3-2-3) have gone winless in their last three matches and will look to use a Homecoming crowd’s energy to get things back on track against Buffalo on Saturday.
While men’s soccer games have an average attendance of over 500 people per game, Homecoming increases that number substantially. In addition, former players often return to cheer on and pass down wisdom to current players.
“This is a unique week for us,” said BU head coach Paul Marco. “Some of the guys coming back may even partake in some of the motivational speeches we have. Some of the young guys will follow suit with the upperclassmen leading the way.”
Binghamton’s 1-0-1 record at home this season won’t do much to intimidate Buffalo. The Bulls boast an 8-1 record, including a 4-1 record on the road. Buffalo has been a dominant force, with 23 goals scored and only five goals against on the season.
“They’re in the top of the country in goals against, and they have the leading goal scorer in the country,” Marco said. “We’ll have our game plan, then we’ll have a plan B.”
Injury has hit the Bearcats hard this year, causing Marco to constantly adjust his lineup. Senior forward Alex Varkatzas was lost after suffering season-ending injuries in the second week of the season. He had started every game he appeared in, tallying one goal.
The Bearcats have several players returning after missing significant time last season. Redshirt sophomore forward Isaiah Barrett and redshirt junior back Charlie Novoth have both played key roles in recent games. Although Binghamton was defeated, 2-1, by Columbia on Sunday, Novoth scored the lone Bearcat goal and Barrett nearly tied the game in the closing seconds. Novoth also has two assists so far this season.
Despite the loss, the Bearcats remain optimistic heading into Homecoming Weekend.
“I thought we ran out of time more than anything,” Marco said of the loss to Columbia. “Whether we win or lose, we are onto our next game.”
The main concern for BU will be figuring out a way to stop the nation’s leading scorer, Buffalo senior forward Russell Cicerone. So far this season, Cicerone has been on a tear, netting 11 goals, while adding seven assists. He leads the country in goals, points and is second in assists.
Binghamton’s back line must keep up its impressive play to have a shot at keeping pace with Buffalo. Other than a 4-0 loss at the hands of Loyola Chicago, BU’s defense has allowed more than one goal only once this season.
“The guys are up for this challenge,” Marco said. “It’s certainly going to be a challenge. They have one underclassman playing [and] we only have one senior and one junior on our starting team. It’s kind of like two opposite teams playing against each other.”
Binghamton is set to face Buffalo on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York.