The Binghamton Bearcats men’s soccer team (2-9-6) entered Smithfield, Rhode Island, as the sixth seed in the America East Conference tournament to take on the third-seeded Bryant Bulldogs (12-2-4).

The Bearcats immediately took it to the Bulldogs off the first whistle with their high energy and physicality, trying to create turnovers. It didn’t take very long for the Bearcats to score on a transition goal in the ninth minute, putting them up 1-0. It was clear that Binghamton’s early game plan was to play with a lot of energy in the middle of the field and create as many turnovers as possible, something that has made Bryant so successful in the regular season.

Bryant responded well to Binghamton’s energy, despite the early deficit, as they started to settle into their game. They eventually started to take advantage of some Binghamton turnovers, and when Bryant did create a turnover, they were able to get the ball into scoring range very quickly, which staggered a Binghamton defense that was trying to regain their numbers on the defensive half.

Bryant took 12 minutes after the first goal to tie up the game after a Binghamton turnover near midfield. A Bryant defender sent a long, lobbing pass into the box to set up a midfielder who sent the ball past senior goalkeeper Natan Jemaneh Admassu and into the back of the net.

Binghamton was still playing with energy, but unforced errors and Bryant’s high-level passing allowed Bryant to create more opportunities to score. In the 24th minute, just after their first goal, Bryant got a penalty kick after a Binghamton foul in the box. Before the kick, Admassu was pacing back and forth, seemingly trying to psych out the Bryant player, which may have paid off as he made a huge diving save to keep the Bearcats even. The Bearcats seemed to have regained their pace of play following Admassu’s save.

A common theme throughout the game was the execution of turnovers. In the 35th minute, Bryant capitalized on a Binghamton turnover. A Bulldog assisted a midfielder on its team who scored a trivial goal that curled past Admassu right into the bottom corner, giving the Bulldogs the lead at the half.

Bryant started the second half the way Binghamton started the first, dominating possession of the ball. What made them especially effective during the game was their ability to quickly move the ball downfield.

In the 52nd minute, Bryant scored a corner kick as the ball was volleyed at the top of the box, sending it into the back of the net.

Despite Bryant being ahead by two, the Bearcats were still hanging on, starting to match Bryant in the middle of the field. In the same minute, Binghamton was awarded a free kick. The kick was sent into the box where Bryant committed a foul, giving Binghamton a penalty kick.

For the rest of the match, Binghamton put on the pressure trying to extend their season, but the Bulldogs held on strong defensively, maintaining their lead until the final whistle.

The Bryant Bulldogs defeated the Binghamton Bearcats 3-2 in a high-scoring contest that came down to the wire. Marking the end of Binghamton men’s soccer’s 2026 campaign, the Bearcats fought gallantly in their final game.