As was a constant throughout the season, inconsistent play was once again evident in the Binghamton University men’s soccer team’s final two regular season games.
The Bearcats fell to University of Hartford 2-1 in an overtime thriller on Oct. 26, a must-win game which, with the loss, eliminated the team from postseason contention. But in the season finale, Binghamton dominated conference powerhouse Boston University, topping the Terriers 5-1.
Against Hartford, the Bearcats recorded only one first-half shot, and the struggle to mount an attack continued throughout the entirety of the game as Hartford finished with a 15-5 shot advantage.
In the game’s 40th minute, Hartford broke the scoreless tie by converting on a corner kick.
But the Bearcats found a way to stay in the game as senior Ryan Walter capitalized on a chance with only 15 minutes left to play in regulation, tying the game 1-1.
“It was obviously a do-or-die game for us and we knew that going in,” Walter said. “We came out with intensity and competitiveness that we have lacked in the games prior. In the second half we came out flying and we definitely took it to them for the majority of the second half, and that’s when we got our goal.”
The game would go to overtime, but just two minutes in, Hartford sent a cross into the middle of the box off of another corner kick, before sophomore Anthony Santaga headed the ball into the back of the net, crushing any playoff hopes for Binghamton.
“[It was] very quiet on the bus, coaching staff included,” head coach Paul Marco said.
This loss marks the first time since 2002 that Binghamton has not qualified for the America East tournament.
Marco, though disappointed, saw his team rebound successfully after seeing his team in practice the following day.
“[Following the loss] the field was buzzing again. [It was] what we would expect,” he said. “They had been able to refocus and get ready for the session.”
The Bearcats needed to refocus fast as they prepared to face Boston University only days later, with the Terriers looking to clinch first place in the conference.
The two teams were set to face off on Oct. 29, but the match ended up being the first snowed-out game in America East conference history. The match was rescheduled for the following morning at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
“I was a little concerned with the weather,” Marco said. “[Saturday night] the tempo of the team and the mood throughout the day were great. I thought that we really should have tried to get the game in [on Saturday]. But the guys assured me [that] night when we were leaving the locker room that they would be ready [Sunday] morning, and they were.”
Binghamton came out of the gates firing on all cylinders in the first half. The Bearcats scored two goals in the first 20 minutes of the match, with the first coming only three minutes into the game.
Boston scored its first goal moments later off of a free kick at the top of the box, bringing the score to 2-1.
But the Bearcats continued to attack Boston as they scored their third goal in the 37th minute.
Junior Adam Whitehead delivered a ball in from 40 yards away off of a free kick, which hit the post, allowing junior Jake Keegan to tap in his second goal of the half.
Binghamton solidified its victory with two more goals in the second half as the team went on to win by a score of 5-1.
The five goals were the most scored by Binghamton since Oct. 20, 2007, when the Bearcats netted five against the University of Maine.
The sole conference victory of the season left the disappointed Bearcats in good spirits as their season came to a close.
“Great way to end the season,” Walter said. “[Boston] knocked me out of the championship my freshman year and we’re always battling throughout the years and they’re always a good team, so it’s always extra sweet to beat them.”
Plagued by missed opportunities throughout the season, Binghamton finished with an overall record of 5-10-2, with just a 1-5-1 mark in conference play.
“Overall, [I’m] extremely disappointed,” Marco said. “I’m disappointed that we’re [not still] playing.”
Despite missing the postseason, two Bearcats were honored with postseason accolades. Junior back Trey Jasenski was named second-team all-conference while freshman midfielder Tucker Sandercock was selected to the all-rookie squad.
Now, instead of a conference tournament appearance, Binghamton must wait until next year to retake the field. But Marco said he still looks forward to working with players and improving the team as much as possible.
“I think the guys have earned a couple of days off, but after that we have to get better and improve,” he said. “We’ll put each guy under the microscope a little bit more and see how much we can get some growth out of them in the next month before they go home for break and then when they come back, we’ll get after it again.”