Returning to a fall season for the first time in 2 years, the Binghamton University Men’s Soccer team is looking to silence all the doubters.  

Coming off a shortened spring season where they finished 2-4, the Bearcats return an experienced squad looking to grow on last season and make a run at America East Title. Among the returners is graduate student, midfielder Noah Luescher. Luescher led Binghamton in goals and points last season tallying 5 goals and an assist earning first team All-Conferences honors. Another valuable veteran presence is junior goaltender P.J Parker. Parker earned an America East Defensive Player of the Week Award his efforts in a shutout win over UMBC. Despite entering the season ranked last in the America East polls, they believe the team has the experience and talent to make a run at a conference title.  

“Really the polls, definitely our motivation,” says Parker “We were picked last, but we don’t consider that too big of a deal. We are going to let our play on the field speak for itself as we have been.” 

“We have great depth on the team, every position is very competitive, and it makes practice very competitive,” says Luescher. “And the togetherness of the group is at an all-time high. The team spirit is so great on this team. We’re very good the ball, we’ve worked a lot on building out of the back and on the attacking side as well.” 

Returning for his 20th season at the helm of Binghamton’s Men’s Soccer program is Paul Marco. After starting 2-1 in the shortened spring season the Bearcats dealt with their share of adversity including having to shut down all team activities for 2 weeks during the season due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Marco believes working through the challenges they faced in the spring helped bring the team, which largely remains intact from that season, even more together.  

“I’ve never experienced anything like that being away from the team in the middle of a season for two weeks, strange doesn’t even begin to describe it,” says Marco. “Then to organize the troops quickly in 2 or 3 days and go on the road to play in Hartford and drop that game in overtime on penalties was very difficult. So, we had a lot of hurdles that I don’t think you see in a normal season.”  

The Bearcats open their 17-game regular season schedule Thursday at Colgate.