Men’s soccer (1-5-3, 0-1-0 AE) opened conference play on Saturday at New Jersey Institute of Technology (4-4-1, 1-0-0 AE). Despite stormy weather, Binghamton opened the game on defense. In the first 20 minutes, NJIT recorded eight shots and six corner kicks, while Binghamton struggled to generate offense.

NJIT recorded the first shot on goal of the game just three minutes in, and followed with the first corner two minutes later. At the 16-minute mark, after some confusion in the box, senior back Saar Almoznino blocked a shot to keep the game scoreless.

Binghamton continued to play defensively, with senior goalkeeper Natan Jemaneh Admassu making a save and Almoznino recording a second block. Binghamton picked up the first yellow card of the game 23 minutes in.

Then, on a pass from senior forward Anthony Randazzo, senior midfielder Marcus Nahim got behind the Highlanders’ defense and scored on Binghamton’s first shot of the game.

Binghamton began to find more opportunities as the half continued. The Bearcats picked up their first corner kick of the game, the ninth combined corner, but could not capitalize. After another shot from NJIT, Binghamton recorded its second shot of the game, but the attempt deflected off an NJIT defender. Binghamton quickly earned its second corner, but again, could not convert.

The Highlanders came close to tying the game with seven minutes remaining in the half, but missed wide after getting past the Binghamton defense. Binghamton nearly doubled its lead when junior back Ryan Gillon put a shot on goal, but NJIT’s goalkeeper made the save.

NJIT continued to threaten, and with less than two minutes remaining in the half, the Highlanders found the equalizer on a rebound, sending the game into halftime tied.

The second half opened in heavy rain, with NJIT taking two quick shots. Binghamton attempted to apply some offensive pressure, but could not capitalize. The Bearcats picked up the second yellow card of the game seven minutes into the half.

After two more corner kicks, NJIT found the go-ahead goal. Binghamton made several attempts to equalize, but could not get past the NJIT goalkeeper. The Highlanders continued to generate shots on goal and nearly extended their lead on a free kick, but Admassu reached the ball to keep the Bearcats within one.

“I think Natan’s been great for us all season. He came up and had a couple of really massive saves to keep us in it,” said Moon.

Despite several good chances from the Binghamton offense, NJIT defeated Binghamton 2-1. The stormy conditions also affected Binghamton’s ability to play its usual style. The slick turf made the ball move faster than the Bearcats could get around.

“I mean, the conditions were playable for sure,” said Moon. “But the speed of the ball and the slickness of the turf, you know, we wanna get the ball down and play, and I think the ball was moving a little bit quicker than what our guys could handle.”

Binghamton returns home to prepare for its next game against the University of New Hampshire on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Wildcat Stadium.