With eight seniors on his roster and the 2007 America East Striker of the Year, Binghamton University’s men’s soccer coach Paul Marco could have recruited players for the distant future.
Instead, he recruited Andy Tiedt, one of the best goal-scorers in New York state history.
On Sunday, the Bearcats (3-1-2) rode Tiedt’s first collegiate goal to victory over the Big 10’s University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers (4-1-1) 1-0 after tying Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2-2-2) 0-0 on Friday.
The win over the previously unbeaten Badgers marks the second time in the last two years that BU has defeated a major-conference squad. In 2007, the Bearcats topped the Big East’s University of Pittsburgh 1-0. Wisconsin-Madison entered the weekend receiving votes in the national polls.
Tiedt, who scored 62 goals as a high school senior, tapped in a pass from junior Kyle Kucharski in the 36th minute against the Badgers. Kucharski lured the defense into overplaying the ball and then passed the ball over goalie Alex Horwath to find Tiedt.
“It was one of those balls that was played in behind their backs, and the goalkeeper kind of misjudged the ball,” Marco said. “Andy’s persistence helped. He put pressure on the backs and goalkeeper.”
Unlike past matches where BU sat back to defend its lead, the Bearcats continued to attack after scoring in the first half. BU out-shot Wisconsin-Madison 7-6 in the second half, and 16-11 overall.
Horwath made two fantastic saves, including a save of BU sophomore Scott Zobre’s low shot in the 41st minute.
The Bearcats also found the net at the very end of regulation, but the officiating crew ruled that time had expired.
“Against a team that’s ranked in the nation, I think our team played pretty well,” Marco said. “Was it our best soccer this season? We’ve played some good soccer this season. I thought we played very well against Lafayette. But this was our most complete game so far, in terms of attacking, playing defense and being competitive.”
If Sunday was about Tiedt’s goal, then Friday’s match against Wisconsin-Milwaukee was about BU’s junior goalie Jason Stenta.
Stenta, who is No. 1 in the America East for goals-against-average, recorded a shutout against the Panthers by making five saves, including three in overtime.
Both of the weekend’s games were played in poor weather conditions, which makes it difficult to score, but also for a goalkeeper to handle the ball. For his efforts, Stenta, along with Tiedt, Barry Neville and Ryan Walter, were named to the All-Tournament team. Tiedt was named the America East Rookie of the Week.
Binghamton’s defense, which was missing senior Liam Carson due to injury, held tough against two talented front lines. Marco also singled out senior midfielder Cody Germain for praise.
“When you get two shutouts on the road against two good teams, a lot of credit goes to the guys in front of the goal along with the goalie,” Marco said.
After traveling to West Virginia and Wisconsin, the Bearcats now get to enjoy the comforts of the Bearcats Sports Complex for the home opener on Friday. In 2007, Binghamton was 7-1 at home with the lone loss in the AE finals against Vermont. That loss ended a 20-game home undefeated streak dating back to 2005.