For Immediate Release: November 7, 2009
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Binghamton men's soccer season ends with 2-1 loss to UMBC in AE quarterfinals

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Levi Houapeu scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute, leading UMBC (13-5-0) to a 2-1 win over Binghamton (9-9-1) in an America East quarterfinal game at the Bearcats Sports Complex on the Saturday night. The Retrievers move on to the semifinals and will head to New Hampshire on Wednesday while the Bearcats' streak of six consecutive trips to the conference title game comes to an end.

Houapeu found himself in the right place at the right time in the 72nd minute when a loose ball was headed by a Bearcat defender into the middle of the box. He then slammed the ball into the top corner of the net for his 15th goal of the season.

A significant turning point in the game occurred seven minutes earlier when Binghamton captain Liam Carson was called for a red card. As a result, the Bearcats played a man down the final 25 minutes of the game. Still, Binghamton controlled play during the period of the game following Houapeu's goal.

After a scoreless first half, in which Binghamton failed to get off a shot on goal, UMBC scored just 28 seconds after the break. Houapeu set up Mark Lubetkin, who recorded his first goal of the season.

Just 1:10 later, however, Binghamton responded on Jake Keegan's team-high seventh goal of the season. He redirected a pass from Adam Whitehead and sent the ball into the lower right corner of the net.

The loss concluded the collegiate careers of Carson, Jason Stenta, Kyle Kucharski and Chris Terry.

UMBC outshot Binghamton 8-7 for the game. All seven Bearcat shots came in the second half.