After seemingly guaranteeing a victory by scoring three goals in the first half, the Binghamton men’s soccer team was forced to battle for a win on Wednesday night. The Bearcats (3-1) allowed two second-half goals but held on to top St. Peter’s, 3-2.
BU has now won three consecutive games, a feat it has not accomplished since 2009.
“I didn’t even know that until you just told me,” BU head coach Paul Marco said of the winning streak. “I thought the guys played a terrific first half to go up three goals and we are delighted to get three points.”
Senior midfielder Tucker Sandercock netted Binghamton’s first goal in the 10th minute. Junior forward Logan Roberts sent a cross to the edge of the box where Sandercock was able to chest it past the oncoming goalkeeper and slot it into the open net.
“The ball was played in the box and I was pretty close to it and I realized the goalie wasn’t really moving,” Sandercock said. “I kind of got a lucky touch on it and just buried it.”
Despite starting just three games last season due to injury, Sandercock has made an impact this year, tallying a goal and an assist.
“It’s great to see Tucker back in,” Marco said. “His fitness is improving every day. I think he will be a force for us in the next two months.”
Binghamton’s second goal came off a cross from senior midfielder Bret Celeste to freshman midfielder Conrad Nowowiejski, who headed the ball off the top left crossbar and into the net.
BU capped the half off by finishing a two-on-one breakaway down the left side of the field. Freshman midfielder Kristian Piippo stole the ball and fed it to freshman back Florian Orth, who shot it past the keeper to put BU ahead by three.
The Peacocks came out strong in the second half. They scored just three minutes in when junior forward Luke Fairlamb sent a cross that was missed by his teammate but beat Binghamton junior goalkeeper Robert Moewes.
Binghamton conceded again in the 70th minute when St. Peter’s was awarded a free kick just outside the box. Sophomore midfielder Ezequiel Cei struck a beautiful kick that went over the wall and in the top left corner of the net.
“I’m disappointed in the way we started the second half,” Marco said. “I think we let them back into the game.”
But the Bearcats hung on; St. Peter’s fired three more shots over the final 20 minutes of play, but could not find the back of the net. The victory also marks Binghamton’s second straight win at home this year, and fourth straight dating back to last season.
“The guys really responded today,” Marco said. “This is our house and we are staring to treat it that way.”
Binghamton is set to return to action against Marist on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gartland Athletic Field in Poughkeepsie, New York.