Binghamton University’s men’s soccer team has the best goals-against-average in the America East Conference. Tonight, the Bearcats will test that defense against one of the best goal-scorers in the country.
When Bucknell (3-1-2) visits Binghamton (3-1-2) for the Bearcats’ 2008 home opener, Binghamton will have to contend with junior Chris Hennings, who has scored seven goals in six games.
What’s more, Binghamton’s defense will have to contain Hennings without one of its best players, senior Liam Carson, who is out with an ankle injury.
“We’re going to have to find a way to make the guys around [Hennings] not get the ball, and play two or three players against him,” said Binghamton head coach Paul Marco. “He’s very athletic, can run a lot, he’s strong and he has good size.”
“We’ll keep an eye out for him a little bit more,” said Bearcat goalkeeper Jason Stenta. “Seven goals is quite an accomplishment.”
The Bison and the Bearcats, who sport identical records, are both carrying five-game unbeaten streaks into the game. Binghamton is coming off its best victory of the season, against the Big Ten’s University of Wisconsin-Madison. But this season Bucknell also defeated a Big Ten power in Penn State.
Bucknell is a deep team that makes as many as eight major substitutions during the course of a game. The Bison like to play through their midfielders, including Conor O’Brien, a second-team All-Patriot League player in 2007.
The Bearcats have played two other Patriot League teams this season and are hoping that experience will help against the Bison.
“Patriot League teams don’t get the recognition like the Big East, but it is a very good conference and its top teams like Bucknell, Colgate and Holy Cross can beat anyone,” Marco said.
Binghamton’s edge will likely be its home field advantage. The Bearcats drew 1,862 fans to their home opener last season, which was the first game at the Bearcats Sports Complex. Junior Cameron Keith delighted the crowd that night with a hat trick against Cornell.
Binghamton’s home-field advantage resulted in an winning streak of 20 home games, which was broken by Vermont in the America East finals. The Bearcats are hoping that large crowds this season will continue to make a difference.
“The fans are great. You have the Hooligans coming out, our parents, all the other friends and family, and everyone’s yelling,” Stenta said. “It’s a great atmosphere. Once we get on the field and hear those chants we’ll play a lot better.”
Some Binghamton players are just relieved to have a break from traveling.
“Our Wisconsin trip was really tiring, all four days of it,” said senior Cody Germain. “It’s nice to be able to not go anywhere and wake up and play in your backyard.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.