The Binghamton University men’s soccer team failed to pick up its first conference win of the season on Saturday as it played to a scoreless tie with University at Albany. Despite outshooting Albany (4-6-3, 0-1-3 America East) by seven, Binghamton (4-8-1, 0-3-1) was unable to capitalize on any of its chances.
“I am pleased that we got a shutout, but disappointed that we couldn’t get a goal,” BU head coach Paul Marco said. “I thought that we created enough opportunities in the match to come away with three points, not one point.”
The Bearcats got their first chance in the second minute of the game, when sophomore midfielder Tommy Moon found himself one-on-one with Albany goalkeeper Adrian Foncette, who saved Moon’s shot. As the evening wore on, Foncette continued to make a slew of impressive saves to keep the Bearcats from getting what would have been their first goal in four matches.
In the 19th minute, junior forward Jake Keegan dribbled past a defender for a scoring opportunity. His shot hit the goal post, however, and bounced away.
In the 43rd minute, it seemed as though senior midfielder Ryan Walter had finally gotten the better of Foncette after he managed to put the ball in the back of the net, only to find that he was called offsides by the referee.
The first half ended with Binghamton having taken six shots compared to only one by the Great Danes.
The second half was on more of an even keel with a more aggressive Albany side, but the Bearcats still seemed to have the better chances. In the 58th minute, a run by senior defender Jerome Robinson was once again saved by Foncette. In the last 15 minutes of regulation the Bearcats loaded the attack area with players, resulting in three chances. The best chance on goal during the half was in the 80th minute, when a quick counter-attack by Binghamton and some dodgy defending saw Keegan miss the back of the net by inches.
Eventually, the game headed into overtime, but those two periods could not produce a winner.
With the scoreless draw, the Bearcats were able to earn their first shutout in conference play.
“It’s kind of sad that we didn’t get the win, but we played really well together,” sophomore goalkeeper Chris Hayen said. “We used each other’s energy and we kept connecting passes. I think that’s what really helped us keep the shutout and keep the positive energy throughout the team.”
Despite gaining the point, the Bearcats remain in the cellar of the America East at 0-3-1. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who defeated Binghamton on a first-half penalty kick last week, sits atop the standings with a perfect 4-0 record.
The Bearcats’ next match is scheduled for tonight against non-conference opponent Colgate University, but the focus is already on next weekend’s clash against conference rival Stony Brook University Seawolves.
“Although Tuesday is an important match for us [against Colgate], next weekend is a massive match for us,” Marco said. “So we will certainly prepare for the weekend match and take care of some players on Tuesday and still put a team out there to go out and compete hard and win the game on Tuesday.”
Kickoff against Colgate is set for 7 p.m. tonight at the Bearcats Sports Complex.