For Immediate Release: November 22, 2003
Contact: David O'Brian
Phone: 607-777-6478

Binghamton stuns Fairleigh Dickinson 1-0 in NCAA First Round Game
Bearcats move on to face St. Louis on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Box score

Press Conference Quotes

VESTAL, N.Y. -A season that has already exceeded all expectations got even better for the Binghamton men's soccer team (12-2-7), as it upset No. 13 Fairleigh Dickinson (14-5-1) 1-0 in a first round NCAA Tournament game on Saturday afternoon in Teaneck, N.J. The Bearcats, who are making their first-ever Division I Tournament appearance, will now travel to face St. Louis in the second round on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

"This was a fantastic effort by our whole team," head coach Paul Marco said. "Our defense played very well and it's great to move on in the tournament."

The game was scoreless until the 82nd minute when freshman midfielder Joey Neilson (Boothwyn, Pa./ Strath Haven) netted an unassisted goal. He dribbled the ball from the side of the net, got around two defenders and fired it home for one of the biggest goals in school history. The goal was particularly sweet for Neilson, who had another goal called offsides early in the second half.

"I worked really hard to get that second goal," Neilson said. "It was tough having that first goal disallowed. This is an amazing victory for our team."

Down 1-0, the host Knights wouldn't quit, forcing Binghamton sophomore goalkeeper Stefan Gonet (Renfrewshire. Scotland/ Trinity) to make a big save with two minutes remaining. Gonet had three saves on the day and recorded his 16th shutout of the season.

Fairleigh Dickinson outshot Binghamton 13-7.

NOTES: Binghamton has now gone unbeaten in its last 14 games, having gone 8-0-6 during that stretch ... the win was Binghamton's first ever win over a ranked Division I opponent.