With great rivalries, each team’s performance to date gets thrown out the window when the teams finally meet. That was the case on Saturday when Boston University’s men’s soccer team, which sported a losing record, downed America East rival Binghamton University.

The Bearcats (6-3-3, 1-1-0 AE) split a pair of conference games last week, losing 2-0 to the Boston University Terriers (5-5-2, 2-1 AE) after blanking Albany (8-3-0, 2-1-0 AE) 3-0.

Against Boston, Binghamton’s biggest rival since joining the America East, the Bearcats were out-shot 21-5 but played solid defense for most of the game. At the 67-minute mark, Boston freshman Michael Bustamante found Tom Strackhouse on a set piece. Strackhouse headed the ball past Binghamton keeper Jason Stenta to put the Terriers on the board.

“We don’t usually concede goals on set pieces,” said Binghamton head coach Paul Marco.

Just eight minutes later, Bustamante, who has five assists on the season, crossed the ball into the box to Aaron O’Neal, who shot a ball that Stenta deflected. Bustamante’s fellow freshman Stephen Knox buried the rebound to ice the Terriers’ win.

“Michael Bustamante was incredible,” Marco said. “He was one of the best players we’ve seen this year, including on Maryland and Wisconsin.”

The Bearcats moved the ball well to begin the game, but Boston played much better than its record and controlled possession.

“They were a little harder and a little quicker than us,” Marco said. “That was probably the best team we’ve seen all season, including Maryland. They were great on the day.”

In Boston’s first AE match, the Terriers lost 3-0 to upstart Albany. The Great Danes were off to a surprising start to the conference season and had momentum on their side when Binghamton visited last Wednesday.

Compounding problems, Albany plays on thick grass — the likes of which the Bearcats hadn’t seen all year. But the Bearcats, who play on new turf at home, made adjustments early.

Cameron Keith started the scoring in the 21st minute by finding Justin Leskow with a cross close to the goal. Early in the second half, Bearcat captain Barry Neville scored on a set piece, finding the top right corner of the goal.

With nine minutes remaining in regulation, Keith, the Bearcats’ leading scorer, scored a goal after he stole the ball from an Albany defender on a botched clear attempt.

“[Keith] tries to get the ball from the defenders all the time,” Marco said. “But is he the type of striker that is known for his defensive presence? No. He’s known for his attacking presence.”

It was Keith’s first multi-point game in the 2008 season. Last year, he scored multiple goals three times en route to the 2007 America East Striker of the Year award. According to Marco, Keith is starting to regain some of his old form.

“He’s starting to put some real good games together. He’s looking fresher and his mobility has increased,” Marco said.

The middle of the America East standings are tight after the first two weeks of action, but Hartford and Vermont sit atop the table with 3-0 and 2-0 conference records, respectively. The Bearcats will have an opportunity to make up ground — or fall behind considerably — when the Hawks and Catamounts visit this week. Surviving the tough early schedule could be a learning experience for the Bearcats.

“All the conference games are going to be tight,” Marco said. “But we improved on Sunday after we lost to Boston.”

The Bearcats take on Hartford at the Bearcats Sports Complex on tomorrow, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Oct. 18 — homecoming weekend for Binghamton — Vermont makes their first appearance at the BSC since their 1-0 win over Binghamton last November during the America East Championship finals.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Time Warner Sports.