Last year we saw a sellout; this season there is little reason to expect anything less.

The Binghamton University men’s soccer (5-4, 0-0 AE) returns home tomorrow to face the University of Rhode Island for this year’s homecoming game.

Last season, a sold-out crowd of 2,534 fans saw the Bearcats beat Vermont 1-0 on homecoming night. Cameron Keith netted the game-winner in the second half, avenging Binghamton’s loss to Vermont in the 2007 America East finals. The homecoming crowd was the largest ever at the Bearcats Sports Complex; it broke the facility record of 2,078 fans that came to the AE final on Nov. 17, 2007.

“Anytime you play in front of familiar faces who are excited to see you, there’s a better buzz around the team,” head coach Paul Marco said.

Marco cautioned his team about getting too excited during the game.

“If anything, I’m trying to keep the guys even-keeled,” Marco said. “[They’re] going to want to run faster and jump higher when sometimes you need to be calm and show patience.”

The Bearcats have had to face inclement weather several times this season and the forecast for Saturday is uncertain. Both their recent victories over Cornell and Niagara were played in heavy rain.

“One of the great things our coaching staff does is we don’t let anything affect [us] or make an excuse for anything we can’t control,” Marco said. “Even if it’s the weather, the size of the field, or if a player is injured; sometimes you can get caught up in those things.”

The Rhode Island Rams (3-6-1, 0-0 A10) are coming off a 2-1 loss to 19th-ranked Boston University, the defending America East champions. Boston got out in front by two goals and their defense carried them to the win. The Rams finished last season on a 3-2 loss to Dayton in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals to end the year 8-8-3.

”[Rhode Island] is a very good side,” Marco said. “They’re a little young like us; they’re good in some moments and other times they struggle.”

Recent games have given freshmen some serious playing time. In the Bearcats 4-0 win last Sunday, freshmen Tyler Bailey and Greg Mathers each tallied their first collegiate goals. Both were among several freshmen to receive increased playing time during the rout.

“Anytime they can experience the competitiveness of the game first hand is important,” Marco said. “This is one of the more technically sound teams we have had, but they don’t realize the competitiveness and we need to work on that.”

The Bearcats have been extremely strong at the Bearcats Sports Complex the last three seasons, going 16-1-1. Their only loss was at the hands of the Catamounts in the 2007 AE finals. The Bearcats have averaged 1,333 fans per game this season, but a crowd similar to last season’s sellout is expected.

“We expect our guys to be ready,” Marco said. “We have a challenge to win in front of us and we will be ready.”

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.