The Binghamton University men’s soccer team knew it was in for some tough competition at the Nike/TLC Plumbing & Utility Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., but the team was ready for the challenge.
The Bearcats went 1-1 in the tournament hosted by the University of New Mexico. They took a tough 2-1 overtime loss on Friday night against Gonzaga University, but rebounded Sunday afternoon, defeating University of California, Davis 1-0. Head coach Paul Marco was pleased with the effort his team put forth.
“We really played … well Friday night,” Marco said. “We just had a couple of letdowns … overall I thought this weekend was a good showing and [Sunday] we got a great response from the guys. They never let up in the match; we were relentless.”
Gonzaga midfielder Ben Funkhouser, a senior, put the Bulldogs on the board just 2:20 into the match Friday night. Junior Yusuf Yusuf came off the bench for the Bearcats and scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the 65th minute, beating keeper Scott Barnum one on one. Junior forward Nick Love netted the game-winner for Gonzaga 1:29 into overtime to win the game. The Bearcats were outshot 25-14, but had 10 corners to Gonzaga’s three.
“We had some chances to put the game out of reach, and we just didn’t get the goals,” Marco said. “We were playing pretty well; we were a bit unlucky in front of goal, and then in overtime it was another one of those moments where we just didn’t provide enough depth. The back four just got caught flat, and they were in behind us, and that was the end of the game. I think we’ve fixed those problems, but you only know as you keep playing the games.”
It appeared things were indeed fixed Sunday afternoon against UC Davis. Junior forward Scott Zobre netted his first goal of the season with a header in the 26th minute, beating Aggie goalkeeper Ryan McCowan on the far post. Zobre, along with sophomore Ryan Walter, who had three shots, continued to show a great amount of energy out on the field. Marco was pleased not just with the energy levels of those two, but with the entire team.
“We got great energy from a lot of guys,” he said. “[Zobre and Walter] always bring it. I think our team covered more ground than UC Davis. We really worked hard to close space and make the game difficult for them … I thought our back four and [senior goalkeeper] Jason Stenta were superb [Sunday] as well. [Senior] Liam Carson and [junior] Kyle Manscuk, they had a handful in two strikers who are very very good, and [Carson and Manscuk] really never gave them any opportunities at all.”
Stenta recorded 11 saves in the overtime loss to Gonzaga, and Sunday afternoon he recorded his 33rd career shutout, extending his own school record. When asked to describe Stenta with one word, Marco replied, “Outstanding.”
“Some of the characteristics he’s showing are his confidence, his poise, his composure … he’s been a rock for us,” Marco said of Stenta. “And I still think that he’s got a little bit more, that he can grow this year. Even though he’s experienced, I think he’s still showing signs of growth, which is great.”
Senior back Kyle Kucharski continued his excellent season against UC Davis, setting up Zobre’s header with a cross, notching his team-high fourth assist of the season. According to Marco, Kucharski’s hard work in the offseason has definitely been paying off thus far.
“I can’t overplay it enough,” Marco said. “[Kucharski] put so much time into training, the technique of crossing the ball, that the ball he’s now whipping in is giving fits for the defenders … and they know it’s coming, but it’s such a quality ball in that it’s difficult to defend, extremely difficult.”
Although the Bearcats went 1-3 in their past four games, considering how tough the opponents were, Marco is satisfied with his team’s effort. He feels the players have made good progress, and will continue to do so.
“I think we’re about where we were hoping to be playing-wise,” he said. “Myself and the staff and our players, we’re not real pleased with the record perhaps, but we get it, and it’s in perspective. We’re fortunate that we’re not any worse than we are right now. We’re .500, going into a couple of good non-conference games … but I think playing-wise, we’re starting to grow a little bit more. I’m real proud of the progress we’ve made over the past eight to nine days, and I’d like to see our team later in the fall. I think we’re going to be quite good.”
The Bearcats are slated to play Cornell University tomorrow in Ithaca. Kickoff is set at 7 p.m.