Throughout the course of a season, a team is bound to have its high points and low points. Ideally, one would prefer not to be streaky, but those are the kind of results the Binghamton University men’s soccer team has seen thus far this season. They started the season 2-0, then lost three straight games. The Bearcats then strung together three wins, adding to the roller coaster ride that the season has been thus far.
The Bearcats hit a snag on Wednesday night, when they were defeated 1-0 by Bucknell University at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium in Lewisburg, Penn.
“Last night was one of those instances where we made one mistake, and they scored a goal off of it,” said Binghamton head coach Paul Marco. “It’s very rare that we make [a mistake] like that, it might just happen once a season … and it did.”
Ironically, as well as senior goalkeeper Jason Stenta has performed recently, it was a misplay from him that was the difference in the game that ended the Bearcats’ winning streak. In the 54th minute, Stenta was cutting off a through ball. “The ball rolled back to Stenta, he picked it up, and then dropped it,” Marco said. “He probably wanted to throw the ball out a little to quickly, and he just dropped it … it happens.”
Bucknell senior midfielder Conor O’Brien capitalized, putting the dropped ball in the net for his seventh goal of the season, which leads the Patriot League.
Marco felt they just could not take advantage of some scoring chances on Wednesday night, like they had done during their three-game winning streak.
“Simply put, we didn’t score the goals that we had created opportunities for,” he said. “We were on top of the match though. I was very pleased with how the guys performed throughout the entire match. Other than that one moment, for a split second, we were pretty good in the match … sometimes in soccer you play pretty well and you don’t get a result. Other times, you don’t play very well, and you do get a result.”
Marco didn’t feel much had changed with Bucknell in respect to strategy since their meeting last season, where the Bearcats had a 3-1 victory over the Bison. He felt the Bearcats’ two late goals last year make that box score look deceiving. It usually comes down to whoever makes the most of their moment, and Bucknell did just that.
Then, on Sunday afternoon the Bearcats defeated Niagara University 4-0 at a rain-soaked Bearcats Sports Complex in front of 362 fans that braved the stormy weather.
Binghamton, who outshot Niagara 24-7, was well prepared for its first home match in three weeks, according to Marco.
“Our guys came out ready to play,” he said. “We knew what the task at hand was, and we executed it pretty well.”
Senior back Kyle Kucharski scored his second goal of the season off a free kick early in the second half. Freshmen midfielders Tyler Bailey and Greg Mathers each scored their first collegiate goals in the match. Marco downplayed their statuses as freshmen, putting more of an emphasis on a team concept, getting good play from everybody, no matter how old they are.
“Freshman, sophomore, senior … I really don’t care what grade they’re in,” he said. “It’s important that we get quality play from whoever is on the field.”
With that said, he is indeed pleased with the development of some of the younger players.
“I do think some of them are starting to step up,” Marco said. “[Bailey and Mathers], Jake Keegan, they’ve been playing quite well. We’re [also] starting to get a couple of our other younger players to be playing well right now. [Freshman] Adam Whitehead is playing quite well, [sophomore] Austin Hughes, who didn’t play much last year, [redshirt freshman] Matt Kristek … those guys are starting to play and contribute. Our younger guys are starting to do pretty well.”
Junior forward Scott Zobre put the Bearcats on the board for the first time against Niagara, netting his second goal of the season off a Keegan cross. Zobre also notched an assist on Mathers’ goal. Marco feels Zobre’s approach to the game will continue to be of help to the Bearcats.
“[Zobre] has got the right frame of mind,” he said. “He’s a pretty positive guy. He’s always looking for opportunities to do better. He’s got a good change of pace, and he’s a dangerous attacking player. He’s going to continue to get goals and assists for us.”
Stenta extended his own school record for shutouts to 35 on Sunday. His drive to become a better player has been the key for his continued growth, according to Marco.
“It starts with [Stenta’s] preparation,” he said. “In training and in the warm ups, he’s showing a little more maturity. He’s showing that what’s going to be required is not only what you’re going to get … you’re going to get more than what’s just required. That’s when he’s really shown that he’s an excellent goalkeeper.”
Now with a record of 5-4, the Bearcats have one game left before conference play begins on Wednesday. They are set to host the University of Rhode Island in the annual homecoming game on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.