The best way to move on from a loss is to do just that: Move on.
And for the Binghamton University men’s soccer team, forgetting the past has been its specialty. Tomorrow, the Bearcats are scheduled to take on University of New Hampshire in what will mark the third consecutive road match for BU.
The Wildcats have left a sour taste in the mouths of Binghamton players. With a 1-0 victory over the Bearcats in the quarterfinals of the America East tournament, they abruptly ended the 2010 season for BU. It came after a Bearcat victory over UNH just seven days prior to the loss, making it all the more frustrating.
However, this year’s Bearcats have shown resiliency after losses, with just one two-game losing streak, with the second loss of that streak coming on a last-second goal against Adelphi University.
Now, coming off a 3-0 loss against the University of Vermont, the Bearcats (4-6) expect to rebound yet again.
“The guys have let go of last weekend and just tried to get better and improve,” head coach Paul Marco said. “We look forward to playing this weekend.”
UNH is coming off two straight losses, falling to Stony Brook University on Sept. 30, 1-0 before dropping a 2-1 match against Bradley University. The Wildcats’ record is identical to that of the Bearcats, which, according to Marco, should make for an evenly matched game.
“I think that we’ll have a very good game plan,” he said. “I think the guys need to go out and execute that plan. The guys need to out-compete UNH. I think that’s an area we’ve stressed to them a little bit. UNH is a very competitive team and they have great spirit and our guys need to not match it, they need to exceed it. And if we do those things I think the results will come our way.”
After losing the first game of conference play against the University of Vermont, Binghamton needs to get back on track quickly as the first game of the America East tournament lies only one month away.
Despite strong play, the Bearcats carry only a 2-4 record away from home.
“We opened up at Bucknell, we played pretty well,” Marco said. “We went to West Virginia, we played pretty well. We went to Ohio State, we played pretty well. So, I think we’ll perform pretty well [on the road]; we need to increase our competitiveness and energy in the game. We need to be, at times, better cheerleaders for each other on the field. I think we can improve our attitudes a little bit during the match to stay focused and concentrated on the game plan.”
The last road match for Binghamton resulted in the 3-0 loss to Vermont. The Catamounts scored their first goal on a penalty kick and the Bearcats couldn’t find their way back into the game after that as Vermont scored two more goals in the second half to further solidify its victory.
But according to Marco, the Bearcats have quickly moved past the loss.
“We’ve been concentrating a little bit more on us this week, than on UNH,” he said. “With a week’s time we’ve tried getting our guys a little more fit and fresh. We’ve pushed them hard the last two days. We’ve worked on some team tactics a little bit and we’ll do a little more of that as the week goes on. All and all, we’ve had two good sessions so far this week. It’s been a good week.”
Binghamton is looking to permanently put the loss to the Wildcats from last postseason in the past as it looks to win tomorrow in New Hampshire and move toward this year’s playoffs.
“I think that we need to prove that we have the capabilities each match to play in the postseason,” Marco said. “And if we can play with that attitude and sustain it through a match I think that we will be playing in [the] postseason. In fact, there’s no question in my mind that we will be playing in [the] postseason. [Our guys] just need to know that each of them has a responsibility and [if] they play their part, things will come our way.”
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at New Hampshire’s Bremner Field.