Paul Marco, head coach of the Binghamton University men’s soccer team, and Erwin Seguia, president of the Bearcat Hooligans, the team’s student fan group, are working to design scarves for the next men’s soccer season, but they won’t be necessary in the spring weather Saturday when the Hooligans take to the Bearcats Sports Complex stands for some exhibition action.

The Bearcats are scheduled to play the Herkimer Community College, a perennial National Junior College Athletic Association Division III championship contender, at 2 p.m. The HCC Generals went 15-3-2 last season and finished third in the NJCAA D3 tournament.

“It’s always good to see them out there,” said BU goalkeeper Jason Stenta, who will be entering his senior season in the fall. “They bring a lot of yelling and cheering us on. Just seeing them out there will be good ‘cause you don’t get many fans at spring games, it’s our last home spring game. They show their support for us and we try to show our support for them.”

Seguia said he’s hoping for a strong turnout.

“I know that it’s Spring Fling, but I’ve spoken with the core group of kids, they’ll be there,” he said. “It’s been a little boring over winter break; personally, I want my dose of football.”

The Bearcats went 14-6-0 in 2007 and fell to Vermont 1-0 in the America East Championship match, the last time the Hooligans were out in full force at the BSC. Binghamton has made five consecutive AE championship matches and narrowly missed an at-large NCAA Tournament bid last season.

Binghamton is 3-1 in exhibition matches this spring.

Pro’s vs. Bearcats

The Bearcats are scheduled to visit the Rochester Rhinos at 6 p.m. Saturday at PAETEC Park. The Rhinos, a professional club in the United Soccer League’s First Division, are 5-0 in exhibition play this season.

The Bearcats defeated Rochester, 1-0, the last time the two met in an exhibition match, in spring of 2006. The match can provide exposure for Bearcats who hope to go on to professional careers after BU.

“We’re just trying to get better as a team collectively,” Stenta said. “I’m excited. You take every game the same, but for 10 of us [to-be] seniors, this game is pretty big for all of us.”

There is a precedent for Stenta’s hopes: Adam Chavez, a senior at BU, is currently playing for the Richmond Kickers, a USL Second Division team.

The Rhinos finished fifth in the 11-team league last season.