MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

October 21, 2008

Overseas Visitors

Seniors backs Barry Neville and Mark Wood and junior forward Cameron Keith have had a little extra incentive to play good soccer the past week. All three of their families have been in town visiting and were in the stands during the game on Saturday.

Neville's family arrived from Scotland just in time for the Binghamton-Vermont game. They are staying in the Howard Johnson hotel across the street until the final regular season home game against Stony Brook next Wednesday.

"It was definitely something special for me to have them here on Saturday," he said. "Vermont was a really hyped up game with it being Homecoming Weekend and a sellout crowd. I was delighted that they managed to make it."

Although Neville has a full load of classes and training sessions, he still finds time to do things with his parents when he has a free moment. After Monday's practice, they all planned to go the outlets in Pennsylvania.

"My family got a great exchange rate on the dollar," Neville said. "They want to take advantage of it."

Wood's family was in town from England last week and saw both Bearcat home victories.

"It was great," he said. "They have been over a few times and have enjoyed the games. They really enjoyed the game on Saturday."

Wood keeps in touch with his family back home, talking to them at least once or twice a week. They follow the games on the internet, even though kickoff usually takes places after midnight in their time zone.

Although his family has returned home, the visit meant a lot to Wood.

"It's a good break for all of us," he said. "I won't get to see them again until Christmas."

Keith's family (also from Scotland) arrived in Boston a week ago Friday to see the Bearcats' game against Boston. After a week in Binghamton, Keith's family will head down to Baltimore to do some sightseeing before the game against UMBC.

"It's really good to have them over here," he said. "Right now, they have the school holidays at home. It's a nice break for them and it is great for me to see them."

Saturday night's win was especially gratifying for Keith, who scored the game-winning goal in front of his family. After completing the post game interviews, he met up with them in the stands.

"As a striker, you hope to score when your family is here but you don't always know if it is going to happen," he said. "So it was nice to score and especially to have the game winner."

There is a history of Keith doing great things when his parents are in town.

"Last year, they were here for the Maine game when I scored a hat trick," he said. "We have done pretty good when they have been over here."

Posted October 21, 2008. 10 a.m.
Feedback should be sent to dobrian@binghamton.edu.