With many of the 1,716 fans in attendance at the Bearcats Sports Complex still finding their seats, junior midfielder Ben Nicholson scored just 65 seconds into the game to provide all the offense the Binghamton men’s soccer team would need in its 3-0 homecoming victory over UMass Lowell.

“Very delighted that we could perform the way that we did tonight for [the fans] because they were outstanding,” head coach Paul Marco said. “I knew it was going to be a special night when I saw them in the parking lot prior to the game.”

Senior forward Marts Reid-Warden gave the Bearcats (3-7-2, 1-1-0 America East) some extra cushion over the River Hawks (2-11-0, 0-2-0 AE) in the 68^th minute when he took a cross from redshirt freshman forward Logan Roberts and sent it into the back of the net.

Roberts put the game on ice with a goal of his own 20 minutes later, converting on a cross from freshman forward Alex Varkatzas.

“After [Nicholson’s] terrific free kick, the guys kind of settled in a little bit because it happened so early,” Marco said. “I think that the manner in which the guys started the second half and to be relentless in pursuit of another goal was quite good.”

The three-goal outburst was Binghamton’s highest offensive output of the season.

While the Bearcats have created plenty of opportunities in front of the net this season, capitalizing has been one of their biggest struggles. According to Nicholson, a night like tonight was a long time coming.

“It’s about time, really,” Nicholson said. “To turn our opportunities into goals and get the product we’ve been putting into training is great.”

In goal, sophomore keeper Stefano Frantellizzi recorded six saves to notch his fourth solo shutout of the season.

All three BU victories this season have come via the shutout.

Binghamton will look to build on its momentum Wednesday against Stony Brook. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in Brookhaven, N.Y.