The Binghamton University men’s soccer team proved that the best offense is a good defense in their win over conference nemesis Vermont this past Saturday at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The defense stood strong for the entire game, forcing goalkeeper Jason Stenta to make only three saves. It was the offense though, that took advantage of one of their only free kicks of the game, occurring in the 62nd minute. The set play was perfectly executed as Darren McAllister sent the ball through the 18-yard box directly to Mark Wood’s head. The ball took a detour off of Wood’s head to Binghamton’s leading scorer, Cameron Keith, who then directed the ball into the lower left corner of the net. The Catamounts stood with their hands on their heads in disbelief as they let the only Bearcats shot on goal get past their goalkeeper, Roger Scully.

For the entirety of the game leading up to the goal, Vermont’s defense did not let the ball behind them. Binghamton’s offense largely consisted of Justin Leskow flying downfield with the ball until being surrounded by Catamounts or otherwise counters that ended up in turnovers. It seemed as if the only viable way to score was to be off of a set play. Although Keith is deadly with the ball at his feet, he lacks the speed needed to beat defenders to long passes. The Bearcats, who are full of talent, need to move the ball down the field gradually.

Binghamton’s best chance to score, other than McAllister’s free kick, came from Leskow running around defenders and then, perhaps ill-advised, passing the ball back to McAllister. This play is the quintessential catch-22 because if Keith had the ball, he would have fired and presumably netted a goal, yet his speed would not allow the situation. To win the America East this year, the Bearcats will have to take advantage of plays like these. Through 14 games this season, Binghamton has only out-shot their opponents five times. They need to make the defense of opposing teams work harder. Even against Vermont, Binghamton only managed half the amount of shots that Vermont took. The Bearcats only put one of their seven shots on goal, which happened to enter the net and be the game winner. Vermont, a team likely to face the Bearcats again in the America East tournament, put three shots on goals, two of which forced Stenta to make spectacular saves.

It is difficult to expect a win when you shoot the ball less than 10 times, especially against great teams. Vermont is the defending champion and although Binghamton defeated them this past Saturday, the team still has to prove themselves come tournament time. Defense wins championships, which was shown to the soccer world in the last World Cup as defensive-minded Italy proved themselves as best in the world. Just like Italy though, the Bearcats would be sure to be happy if their big games need not enter overtime. Binghamton has the potential to win the America East, especially with their defense and Stenta between the posts, but Keith and crew need to figure out ways to put some bigger numbers on the scoreboard against top opponents. Scoring goals will help the Bearcats attain their major goal: winning the America East and playing in the NCAA tournament.