NEW YORK, N.Y. – Antonio Matarazzo finished off a corner kick with just 12 seconds left in regulation, leading Columbia (6-4-2) to a 2-1 win over Binghamton (3-8-4) in a non-conference men's soccer game on Wednesday night at Robert B. Commisso Field. The loss snapped the Bearcats' three-game unbeaten streak.
The Lions initially had a corner kick with a minute to go in regulation. When it went out of bounds off a Bearcat player, their second attempt was taken by Bryce Terrill. Matarazzo was in perfect position to head in the cross for his fourth goal of the season.
The Lions opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Nicholas Pappacena found the back of the net from close range. David Najem and Anton Wesener set Pappacena up with a pair of passes inside the box.
Junior back
Ben Nicholson, however, tied the game in the 64th minute when he converted a free kick from 35 yards out. It was his third goal of the season and gives him a team-best 11 points for the year.
Columbia held a 24-4 advantage in shots. Sophomore goalkeeper
Stefano Frantellizzi, however, recorded a career-high 12 saves.
"I thought we battled and played quite well for parts of the match," head coach
Paul Marco said. "Give Columbia credit. They were great with the soccer ball tonight."
Binghamton returns home on Saturday to face No. 10 UMBC at 6 p.m.