Following a tie that extended the team’s three-game unbeaten streak last weekend, the Binghamton men’s soccer team lost to the Hofstra Pride 2-0 after conceding two goals in the second half.

Binghamton entered the game facing a major loss in its backline, as senior back Saar Almoznino was still barred from playing after receiving a red card against Le Moyne. This prompted interim head coach Tommy Moon to make some adjustments, starting redshirt freshman back Ben Church, who made his first start of the season.

Despite these challenges, the Bearcats played competitively in the beginning against a team ranked No. 25 nationally in the Sept. 21 College Soccer News Poll.

The Bearcats’ offense began aggressively, dictating the tempo with a 5-4 shot advantage in the first half. Giving Binghamton its first attempt, senior midfielder Alex Balkey sent a shot wide of the net in the ninth minute. Redshirt sophomore back Ryan Conti, who had been bumped up in the starting lineup, provided another early opportunity. In the 14th minute, he directed a shot on target that forced Hofstra’s goalkeeper into a save. Continuing their offensive pressure, the Bearcats recorded more shot attempts in the 18th and 20th minutes.

After regaining possession, Hofstra looked to shift the momentum in its direction, testing the Binghamton defense with several shot attempts. Facing this pressure, senior goalkeeper Natan Jemaneh Admassu saved a shot from Hofstra in the 38th minute, denying the Pride an opportunity to take the lead.

“I thought we were fantastic in the first half,” said Moon. “We had a great game plan and our guys executed it very well.”

Emerging from halftime, the Bearcats looked to maintain their edge, but Hofstra made key substitutions that helped the Pride control their offense.

To start the half, Hofstra began to pressure the Binghamton defense with three quick shots. One was on target, sending Admassu into a save in the 47th minute. Despite managing to create one shot opportunity afterward, Binghamton struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure as Hofstra controlled the flow of the game.

This pressure finally culminated in a breakthrough, with Hofstra scoring in the 68th minute to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

Heading toward the end of the game, both teams amped the physicality as three yellow cards were issued in a 10-minute span. Hofstra doubled its lead in the 86th minute.

“Hofstra definitely played better after halftime, and unfortunately, a game is defined by moments and they had two moments when they got their goals,” said Moon. “We are disappointed with the result, but Hofstra is a very good team and tonight was a good learning experience for us going forward.”

The Bearcats showed promise throughout the game, but Hofstra’s second-half pressure ultimately proved difficult to overcome. Binghamton finished the game with eight shots, while Hofstra recorded 12.

The loss put Binghamton at 1-3-3 for the season as the Bearcats travel to face Cornell on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.