STONY BROOK, N.Y. - After battling to a 1-1 double overtime tie, the Stony Brook men's soccer team won its first ever America East Men's Soccer Championship by beating Binghamton, 4-2, in penalty kicks on Saturday night at Kenneth P. Lavalle Stadium. The Seawolves earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the first ever post-season berth for the program.
The victory by Stony Brook marks the eighth-straight different team to win the America East Championship. The Seawolves will learn their destination for the NCAA Tournament on Monday, November 14 as the men’s soccer selection announcement will air live on ESPNews (4-4:30 p.m.).
Binghamton scored the game's first goal as Kyle Antos took an Adam Chavez free kick from 40 yards out and headed it into the right corner of the goal to give the Bearcats a 1-0 edge at the 20:05 mark. Binghamton held its 1-0 advantage for nearly the next 57 minutes.
Stony Brook's Chris Megaloudis then collected a rebound off teammate Michael Palacio's shot and sent it to the right corner from 10 yards out. The goal was the seventh of the year for Megaloudis and the 11th assist for Palacio. The score was the most crucial of the game as it tied the score at 1-1 with just 3:15 remaining.
The teams played the final minutes of regulation and two overtime sessions scoreless to force a penalty kick shootout for the conference title.
The difference-maker in the shootout came in the third and fourth rounds. Antos' attempt for the Bearcats was high above the cross bar in the third round, while Stony Brook's Erion Qoku netted his attempt in the upper-left corner.
In the fourth round, Stony Brook goalkeeper EJ Xikis stopped Ibrahim Yusif's attempt to set up the winning kick for Chris Scarpati. Scarpati's attempt was good as the Seawolves celebrated their first-ever America East title.
Senior Douglas Narvaez was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Performer and was joined on the All-Championship Team by Stony Brook teammates Rob Fucci, Megaloudis and Palacio. Binghamton's Danilo and Joey Neilson, Albany's Erik DiLorenzo and Rodrigo Marion, UMBC's Matt McGowan and Bryan Moffa, Boston U.'s Matt Cross, Vermont's Cory Bronner.
NOTES
Binghamton advanced to its third-straight America East Championship game and lost its second-straight such game in a penalty shootout.
SCORING
Binghamton - Kyle Antos (Adam Chavez), 20:05
Stony Brook - Chris Megaloudis (Michael Palacio), 86:45
SHOTS
Binghamton: 14
Stony Brook: 13
CORNER KICKS
Binghamton: 7
Stony Brook: 1
SAVES
Binghamton: Ryan Bertoni (110:00, 3 saves)
Stony Brook: EJ Xikis (110:00, 4 saves)