Men's soccer team defeats Philadelphia 6-0

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.--The Binghamton men's soccer team (6-2-1) continued its scoring rampage in impressive style, beating Philadelphia (3-4) 6-0 on Saturday afternoon at West Gym Field. It is the most goals that the Bearcats have scored in a game since beating St. Rose 7-1 on Oct. 5, 1998. In addition, Binghamton is now off to its best start since beginning the 1992 season with a 10-2 record.

"Today was a great day for Bearcat soccer," head coach Paul Marco said. "Everything we did today was a direct result of our training. We could not ask for anything more."

Binghamton had never beaten the Rams before Saturday, having been outscored 7-2 in the previous three meetings. This time, however, the Bearcats wasted little time in reversing thier fortunes as junior midfielder Charles Darkwah (Toronto, Ontario) put Binghamton up 1-0 just 6:45 into the game. Freshman midfielder Joey Neilson (Boothwyn, Pa./ Strath Haven) was credited with the assist.

At the 24:13 mark, freshman forward Bryan Arnault (Clay, N.Y./ Cicero-North Syracuse) made the score 2-0 when he banged home an unassisted goal. Junior forward Stephen Bruce (Buckie, Scotland/ Buckie Community) stretched the lead to 3-0 at the 35:18 mark. Sophomore back Graham Munro (Inverness, Scotland/ Invergordon) and junior back Ross Campbell (Aberdeenshire, Scotland/ Westhill) got the assists. With just 48 seconds left before the half, sophomore back Darius Ravangard (Utica, N.Y./ New Hartford) made it 4-0 when he scored an unassisted goal from just outside the box.

In the second half, Binghamton was the beneficiary of an own goal with just 3:37 elapsed. Freshman forward Mike Greenberg (Bellmore, N.Y./ Bellmore) then finished up the scoring with just 3:30 remaining when he broke up a pass inside the Philadelphia box and converted his first collegiate goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Stefan Gonet (Refrewshire, Scotland/ Trinity) made four saves, including a pair of critical ones off of shots from inside the box, to post his seventh shutout of the season. Marco also cited the back line of Mnuro, Campbell and seniors Pat Skinner (Conklin, N.Y./ Susquehanna Valley) and James Clancy (Walden, N.Y./ Pine Bush) as being pivotal in recording the Bearcats' second consecutive shutout.

"Stefan made some great saves," Munro said. "The backline also played well, especially in the second half."

Binghamton outshot Philadelphia 9-8 for the game.

The Bearcats conclude thier five-game home stretch against Oneonta on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

NOTES: Darkwah now has four goals in his last three games ... Binghamton has scored 17 goals so far this season, already topping the 15 goals they recorded all of last season ... the Bearcats' six wins already equals their 2002 win total ... Arnault now has a goal and two assists in his last two games.