Goalkeeper
Binghamton: Jason Stenta, Binghamton University’s all-time leader in shutouts is having an unbelievable season. In 13 games, he has only let eight goals squeak by him. The New York Giants have a better chance of losing to the Detroit Lions than opposing teams have of scoring on Stenta. Sporting a 0.59 goals against average, Stenta has let in goals in less than half of the games the Bearcats have played. Before Wednesday night’s game against Hartford, in which Stenta recorded a shutout, he was ranked 21st in Division I in GAA.
Vermont: As good as Stenta has been this season, Roger Scully is not far behind. Scully’s GAA is 0.74. However, Scully has let in 80 percent of those goals in the second half of games. Although his numbers prove he’s cool, calm and collected between the posts, the Binghamton crowd has had an effect on him in the past. After beating the Bearcats to win the America East Championship last year, Scully threw the ball into the Hooligans, fists clenched.
Advantage: Binghamton
Forward
Binghamton: Cameron Keith isn’t having quite the season he was having last year, but his four goals are still tops on the team. Keith steps his game up for the big crowd, as he scored in the last weekend home game. He still owns the Bearcats Sports Complex and will be sure to continue this trend. He last scored at Albany and is looking to bring his supreme finishing ability back to the BSC.
Vermont: Junior T.J. Gore bowls his way through defenses. His two goals and three assists demonstrate his danger with the ball. Gore has earned All-Conference honors in both of his first two seasons at Vermont. His downfall may be that he’s trigger happy, having shot the ball 27 times thus far, with only a 0.77 accuracy percentage.
Advantage: Binghamton
Midfielder
Binghamton: Justin Leskow is coming off of scoring the game-winning goal against conference opponent Hartford. Leskow’s blinding speed makes him a serious threat from midfield. His two goals on the season were both game winners, showing that he scores when it counts.
Vermont: Senior Jordan Crasilneck is tops on his team in points, with 15, including three goals and nine assists. Crasilneck most recently scored the game-winning goal against conference foe UMBC. Crasilneck is an iron man, not having missed a game in three seasons. His vision makes him a threat with the ball at his feet, not only for Stenta, but for the entire defense.
Advantage: Vermont
Defender
Binghamton: Binghamton captain Barry Neville is still leading one of the best defenses in the nation after his switch from midfield at the beginning of the season. The Scotland native leads by example, hardly ever letting his man get behind him. Neville, who started every game last year, also made the All-Conference team. The captain and former team MVP will not want to lose against arch-rival Vermont on his home turf for his senior year.
Vermont: The Catamounts defense is also led by its captain, Jake McFadden. McFadden, just like Neville, is the general on the field. Although small in stature, coming in at 5 feet 10 inches, 165 pounds, McFadden is described as the role model for the team by UVM head coach Jesse Cormier. McFadden has made the trek up the field quite a bit this season, tallying four goals.
Advantage: Binghamton
Overall: Vermont ranked two places above Binghamton in the NSCAA/Adidas Regional Rankings for the Northeast as of Oct. 14. The Bearcats are going to be coming into this game thinking they have something to prove after last year’s disheartening loss. Look for the Bearcats to come out with high intensity and try to get on the board early.
Advantage: Binghamton