MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

October 13, 2008

The Oneonta Connection

Here's a little known fact. Two of the Bearcats biggest fans are part of the Oneonta men's soccer program, which also competes at the Division I level. Jason Stenta's twin brother, Justin, played three years for the Red Dragons while Kyle Manscuck's older brother, Keith, completed a stellar career last season and is now completing his academic coursework in Oneonta.

Justin and Jason Stenta have been more than brothers growing up. They have been best friends as well as each other's biggest fans.

"My relationship is very close with my twin," Justin said. "I mean for heaven sakes we were in the same belly at the same time, so that's when the relationship first started. We chat everyday just like any brother would but I feel like we are really close. We can tell each other anything, we help each other out and we got each other's backs."

Both Justin and Jason graduated from Chenango Valley High School in 2005. After playing three years at center back for the Red Dragons, Justin was selected to study abroad in Rome this past spring. Wherever Justin has gone, however, he keeps in close touch with how Jason and the Bearcats have done.

"He is always following me and I really appreciate that," Jason said. "He is always giving me updates on whatever he is doing."

Justin's soccer career has ended at Oneonta. He currently has an internship with Northwestern Mutual and has no regrets about the direction in which his future is headed. While he misses playing soccer, following Jason's career has been just as fulfilling.

"I love what I am doing but I do miss soccer," he said. "Still, I am so proud of Jason. He has come a long way at Binghamton. He is fulfilling my dream of some day playing professionally so he will do it for me."

The Manscuck brothers have also formed a close bond over the years. Keith graduated from Aquinas High School in 2004, three years ahead of Kyle. In three seasons at Oneonta, he broke both the single-season and career goal, assist and point marks.

"I always looked up to my older brother," Kyle said. "He holds all of the goal records and point records over there (Oneonta). It's always nice to hear about him and he definitely supports me with all I do."

"I feel our relationship is very close," Keith said. "I look at Kyle as my best friend. If anything is ever wrong, I know I have him no matter what. We have so much in common that we get along very well.

While his career is over, Keith continues to help Kyle train over the summers.

"Almost ever summer we always play against each other," he said. "We have a net in the back yard and we are always creating little games to test each other."

Not only are Justin and Keith close with their brothers at Binghamton, they are also roommates at Oneonta. Frequently, they make the trips together to the Bearcats Sports Complex.

"It's definitely good seeing my brother in the crowd with Justin," Kyle Manscuck said. "They have come to a lot of our games and will definitely be there during the rest of the season."

In addition to supporting their brother's Justin and Keith have been very impressed with the Bearcat program and the leadership of head coach Paul Marco and Assistant Coach John Scott.

"The coaches are great and know the game," Justin said. "Off the field they have a great personality and always are there for you."

"I feel the Binghamton program is always very competitive," Keith said. "They can challenge with the best team in the country any day. I feel getting the new (Bearcats Sports Complex) will only progress them as a program."

With four home games left in the regular season, the Bearcats figure to draw significant crowds. Included among the fans figure to be a pair of Red Dragons, pulling openly for their brothers as well as the rest of their teammates.

Posted October 13, 2008. 7 p.m.
Feedback should be sent to dobrian@binghamton.edu.