Boston, Mass. ? The top-seeded Boston University men’s soccer team needed a penalty kick and a late goal in the second half to force overtime against the defending America East Champion Binghamton. The Terriers then converted all five of their penalty kicks to edge the Bearcats 5-3 in the sudden death shootout to advance the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1997.
Boston U. drew first blood early when junior midfielder Jamie Johnson cashed in on a penalty kick at 10:20 to give the Terriers the 1-0 lead. Binghamton would even the score in the 26th minute (25:20), as red-shirt sophomore Kyle Antos scored on a scramble in front of the net. Antos blasted the ball into the lower right corner off a pass from senior Michael Austin.
Sophomore Bryan Arnault would give the Bearcats their first lead late in the second half (74::26), when he one-timed a pass from classmate Joey Neilson from five-yards out. The Terriers’ John Cooper would even the match in the 84th minute (83:31), blasting one into the upper right net from 15 yards out. Assisting on the play was senior Brian Conway.
During the penalty kick session, the first seven players converted their shots. Johnson, Derek Puerta, Erik Evjen and Roland Erlichman scored for Boston U., while Graham Munro, Ryan Pierce, and Michael Austin all buried their shots for Binghamton. Following a missed shot by the Bearcats’ Danilo, Boston U.’s Conway converted his shot, icing the penalty kick session 5-3 in the Terriers' favor, and the rights to the title.
Boston University improves to 10-7-2 on the year, advancing to its first America East men’s soccer title since 1997, and its 6th overall. Binghamton’s season comes to an end with a final 11-2-8 mark.
Senior Midfield Federico Bianchi, who scored both of the Terriers' goals in a 2-0 win over Stony Brook in the semifinals, was named the championship’s Most Outstanding Player.
All-Championship Team: Peter Squeglia, Albany; Nicos Savva, Albany; Matt Shump, New Hampshire; Mark Zajkowski, Stony Brook; Anthony Barberio, Stony Brook; Tony Anderson, Vermont; Bryan Arnault, Binghamton; Danilo, Binghamton; Graham Munro, Binghamton; Federico Bianchi, Boston U.; Eric Evjen, Boston U.; Chad Comroe, Boston U., Jamie Johnson, Boston U.; Most Outstanding Player: Bianchi, Boston U.
Scoring
High Seed: Boston U.-Jamie Johnson (Penalty Kick), 10:20
Binghamton-Kyle Antos (Michael Austin), 25:20
Binghamton-Bryan Anault (Joey Neilson), 74:26
Boston U.-John Cooper (Brian Conway), 83:31
Shots
Binghamton: 12
Boston U.: 11
Saves
Binghamton: Stefan Gonet (100:00, 4 saves)
Boston U.: Chad Comroe (100:00, 4 saves)