The No. 1 goalie in the country is about to meet his match: the No. 1 goal scorer in the country.
When Sacred Heart (3-0) visits Binghamton’s men’s lacrosse team (1-1) at the Bearcats Sports Complex at 2 p.m. Saturday, Bearcat keeper Larry Kline, who is allowing just 2 goals per game, will try to stop Pioneer attackman Timmy Katz, who scores 3.67 per.
Binghamton is the stingiest defense in the country, measured by goals against average and save percentage, but has the second worst offense in Division I, with just 3.5 gpg. Sacred Heart, meanwhile, is third in the country in scoring offense. It is a matchup that could produce bizarre results on the field.
“I’d like to think it will be a defensive game,” Kline said. “But I think our offense is ready to break out. I’m seeing them in practice, and I think we will get better at finishing our shots.”
Katz’s scoring average through three games is higher than that of Binghamton’s entire offense, and he is joined by other talented scorers, like attackman Dan Casciano, and midfielders Tony Tanzi and Bobby Rushton. Kline expects Binghamton freshman Derrick Danieu to start the game guarding Katz.
“(Katz) is a big player, but all their guys on attack are capable of putting up numbers,” Kline said.
Pioneer midfielder Zach Smith is third in the country in ground balls. The Pioneers scoop up 32 per game, while the Bearcats only get 14 ground balls per game.
But the Sacred Heart defense is no slouch either, as goalie Zach Frank is 10th in the nation with a 6.24 goals against average.
After facing the Pioneers, Binghamton will travel to No. 5 Syracuse, No. 9 Cornell, and Albany for three consecutive road games against national title contenders. Then, Binghamton faces No. 20 UMBC at home. How the Bearcats play against Sacred Heart could determine their mindset heading into the tough four-game stretch.
“I think our offense needs the confidence heading into those games,” Kline said. “There’s nothing as important to an offense in lacrosse than confidence.”