CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - University of Vermont and Binghamton University, the top two defensive teams in America East, exploded offensively for three goals apiece to advance to the semifinals of the 2008 America East Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday.
Third-seeded Binghamton (11-5-3) knocked off No. 6 New Hampshire (7-7-4) 3-1 at Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the game, but the Wildcats cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 23rd minute on Rob Gerum's finish off a header. But, the Bearcats, the 2003 and 2006 champion, got it back just 24 seconds later. Junior Cameron Keith, a second-team all-conference selection for Binghamton, factored in all three goals, with one tally and a pair of assists.
In Burlington, No. 4 Vermont (9-3-7) used two early scores to down No. 5 Hartford (7-8-3) 3-1 at Centennial Field. Freshman Patrick Alonis and senior Jordan Crasilneck, a first-team all-conference selection, scored five minutes apart early in the first half. The Hawks' Carlos Villa, a first-team All-America East choice, made it 2-1 after capitalizing off a rebound on a corner kick service. The Catamounts' Lukas Petersen added an insurance goal in the 84th minute to ensure his team a trip to the semis and Roger Scully, the second-team all-conference goalkeeper, made nine saves.
The semifinals set up to be the most exciting in recent America East history. Second-seeded Albany hosts Binghamton in one contest on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m., while top-seeded Boston University takes on the Catamounts at Nickerson Field that evening at 7 p.m. The four teams have combined to go 41-16-15 this season for a .674 winnings percentage.
Stay tuned to AmericaEast.com and Championship Central for that latest on the Men's Soccer Championship.
2008 America East Men’s Soccer Championship
Quarterfinals - Saturday, November 8
at No. 4 Vermont 3, No. 5 Hartford 1
at No. 3 Binghamton 3, No. 6 New Hampshire 1
Semifinals - Wednesday, November 12
Binghamton at No. 2 Albany, 1 p.m.
Vermont at No. 1 Boston University, 7 p.m.
Finals - Saturday, November 15 or Sunday, November 16
Semifinals Winners, TBD (at higher see