For Immediate Release: October 18, 2006
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Men's soccer defeats Albany 1-0, takes over first place in America East Conference

Box score

ALBANY, N.Y.-- Senior forward Joey Neilson (Boothwyn, Pa.) netted his first goal of the year at the 61:31 mark lead Binghamton (8-6-3, 6-1 AE) to a 1-0 victory over Albany (7-7-2, 5-3 AE) in an America East Conference men's soccer game on Wednesday afternoon at Varsity Field. With the win, the Bearcats take over sole possession of first place heading into the regular season finale against Vermont on Saturday. Binghamton can clinch the regular season title with either a win or a tie against the Catamounts.

"The last couple weeks we've really grown together as a team" head coach Paul Marco said. "It was great to see Joey [Neilson] finally get a goal and Jason [Stenta] made two fantastic saves for us".

Neilson's game-winner came when senior midfielder Bryan Arnault (Clay, N.Y.) and junior midfielder Matt Narode (Glenmont, N.Y.) worked the ball to him quickly just inside the box on the right wing. Neilson then drilled the ball to the upper left corner of the goal to put Binghamton out in front. The assist for Arnault was his third of the year while Narode collected his second on the play.

Redshirt freshman Jason Stenta (Binghamton, N.Y.) made four saves but none bigger than the one with 15:43 remaining when he denied Albany's freshman midfielder Brian Gordon from point-blank range to maintain the Bearcats lead. Stenta recorded his sixth solo shutout.

The Bearcats outshot Albany 7-6 as they won their fourth consecutive game.

Binghamton and Vermont square off on Saturday at 1 p.m. at West Gym Field in the regular season finale for both teams.