Binghamton University

MEN'S SOCCER DAILY UPDATE

November 12, 2008

A Historic Triumph

Where do you start? While it wasn't an America East final, today's 1-0 double-overtime win at Albany has to go down as one of the greatest moments in the program's Division I history. Binghamton became the first team in the 20-year history of the America East Conference to advance to six consecutive championship games. They did it the hard way, going on the road and coming through in the clutch.

Having covered the Bearcats since 2000, I have seen my fair share of dramatic moments. I always thought that the 2006 semifinal game against Boston, which was decided by a shootout, would be the most mentally exhausting game I'd work. This was even more so. But considering this match ended in a win of historic proportions, the feeling of joy was even greater.

Head Coach Paul Marco

"What a great feeling. The pressure our senior class felt at the start of the year was whether they were going to live up to expectations. They have actually exceeded expectations with the way that we are playing."

"I think today shows that we have some very strong, competitive-spirited guys who when the game is on the line, they can focus and stay concentrated. Even when our guys were tired at the end of the game, I though we were good."

"Albany did a very good job marking Camy today. They double-backed him quite well. When we started the second overtime, you could see the look in Camy's eye that he was competitive and determined to have the last say and score a goal."

"Heading into the second overtime, I felt we hadn't done we had wanted to. We reminded the guys that now was the time to separate Bearcats from non-Bearcats. I thought our guys were great. Right off the kickoff we went right at them."

Junior forward Cameron Keith

"This win gives us a lot of confidence. We knew this game was going to be different than any other away game we have played this year. We knew what was at stake. It was a really difficult game. Albany is very good."

"I got a great ball from Cody. The keeper was coming out so I was able to lift it over him. He is a great keeper. The Albany players came up after the game and wished us the best after the game."

First Class

After the Binghamton players celebrated Keith's game winner, one of the Albany players said to the winning team: "You better win on Saturday after a game like this."

The Albany player was still on one knee devastated by the outcome when he spoke those words. A Binghamton player helped him up.

Despite a rough and physical game, it was a gracious display of sportsmanship by both sides.

Welcome Home

Some of the Hooligans showed up to greet the team when they returned from Albany at 7:15 tonight. Three local TV stations also made the trip to the Events Center when the bus pulled in to conduct interviews.

Viewer Discretion Advised

After arriving back home, head coach Paul Marco and several of the players stayed at the Events Center to watch the Boston-Vermont game. The coaches and players roared when the Catamounts tied the game at 1-1, hoping that the finals would be played at home. In the end, however, the group left disappointed, knowing they would head to Boston instead.

At least, however, they are still standing.

Posted November 12, 2008. 10:30 p.m.
Feedback should be sent to dobrian@binghamton.edu.

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