Bearcats tie Vermont 0-0, clinch spot in America East Tournament

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.--The Binghamton men's soccer team (9-2-6, 3-1-4 AE) extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games by battling Vermont (4-8-5, 3-3-2 AE) to a 0-0 deadlock in an America East Conference soccer game in Burlington on Thursday morning. With the tie, Binghamton officially clinches a spot in the America East Conference Tournament for the first time in its history.

Binghamton can finish anywhere from second to sixth in the conference, depending on the outcome of Saturday's five games. Should Binghamton win its regular season finale at New Hampshire on Saturday, it would clinch the second spot, as well the accompanying first-round bye, if Hartford beats Boston and Albany beats Northeastern. The first round of the tournament starts next Wednesday.

"This was a good game today," head coach Paul Marco said. "We played well in the first half, let up in the second half but came back strong in the overtime periods. It's good to be in the tournament but we have to go up to New Hampshire finish out the season strong."

The Bearcats have gone 5-0-5 during the past 10 games, marking their longest unbeaten run since going 12-0-0 during a 12-game stretch in the 1989 season. In addition, Binghamton extended its school record with its 13th shutout of the season.

The host Catamounts outshot Binghamton by an 18-10 margin, including by an 11-2 deficit in the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Stefan Gonet (Refrewshire, Scotland/Langbank), however, recorded four saves in posting his 13th shutout of the season. That extends his single season school record.

NOTE: Including today's game at Vermont, Binghamton is the lone team on the NCAA Division I level not to have allowed a goal in the first half of a game this season.