October 24, 2009
HEARTBREAKER
Last-minute goal dooms Catamounts

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Matt Kristek scored with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Binghamton Bearcats over the Vermont Catamounts, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Centennial Field.

With the victory, Binghamton clinches a spot in the America East men's soccer tournament and improves to 8-6-1 overall and 3-2-0 in league play.

Vermont is still in the hunt for the final playoff seed and will host Boston University in the final regular season match on Wednesday (Oct. 28) at 2 p.m. at Centennial Field. The Catamounts fall to 1-9-5 overall and 1-3-2 in the America East.

The Bearcats took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute when Liam Carson put back a rebound of Scott Zobre's initial shot, and held the advantage through halftime.

Vermont pressured the Bearcats from the opening whistle of the second half. Kyle Luetkehans' first goal of the season evened the score at 1-1 in the 66th minute. Patrick Alonis directed a throw-in to Matt Hennessey, who dribbled to the endline before sending a quick, short cross into the box where Luetkehans was able to head it past Binghamton goalkeeper Jason Stenta.

Vermont had a flurry of scoring opportunities in the closing minutes, but Binghamton seized a counterattack opportunity when Kristek and teammate Scott Zobre mounted a 2-on-1 breakaway. Zobre fed a long ball from the left side to Kristek who was able to collect it and slot a low, hard show past the outstretched arms of Vermont goalkeeper Tom Critz for the game-winner.

Critz finished the game with four saves for Vermont, while Stenta was credited with three stops for the Bearcats.