Binghamton University

MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

November 3, 2008

This Date in Men's Soccer History: November 3, 2007

As Binghamton walked on to the field at Stony Brook for their 2007 regular season finale, everything seemed to be pointing against the Bearcats. In its previous three conference road games, the squad was 0-3. The weather conditions were barely above freezing and there was a mixture of wind and rain. Furthermore, Binghamton was returning to the scene of its heartbreaking defeat in the 2005 conference finals.

The Bearcats needed a win to lock up their second consecutive America East Conference regular season title. A tie or a loss could have sunk them to as low as fifth place. Binghamton had dropped two of its previous three games and did not have momentum in their favor.

Simply put, it had the potential to be one of Binghamton's most disappointing days of the season. Instead, it was one of its finest moments.

"It was absolutely freezing," recalls current junior forward Cameron Keith. "It really wasn't enjoyable to play in. Until that day, we had done poorly in a lot of away games. We really needed that win."

"The wind and rain were absolutely terrible," current senior back Mark Wood said. "We need the win to wrap up the regular season title but the conditions were awful."

Binghamton braved the weather elements and controlled the opening 45 minutes of play. They held an 8-4 advantage in shots but it wasn't until the 42nd minute that the Bearcats finally found the back of the net. From 25 yards away, current senior back Barry Neville buried a a free kick.

Almost one year to the day after converting the winning penalty kick in the conference finals against Vermont, Neville was on the verge of once again becoming a hero. All that stood in the Bearcats' way was another 45 minutes of both the Seawolves and the elements.

Stony Brook outshot Binghamton 10-4 during the second half but the Bearcats held on for the win. In the process, they not only won their second straight regular season title but they purged some unflattering history. Gone was the memory of the 2005 title game loss as well as the three straight conference road setbacks that preceded the 2007 meeting against the Seawolves.

"I thought our guys came out today and showed a lot of character by winning a tough road game with so much at stake," head coach Paul Marco said.

Indeed, the Bearcats had battled Stony Brook, the elements and history and had defeated all three of them.

Posted November 3, 2008. 5 p.m.
Feedback should be sent to dobrian@binghamton.edu.

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