HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Freshman midfielder Matty Flax netted the game-winning goal in the 76th minute, leading Binghamton (7-4-5) to a 2-1 win at Hofstra (8-7-1) in a non-conference men's soccer game on Tuesday night at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The Bearcats scored a pair of second-half goals to record their biggest road victory of the season.
 
After dropping a pair of America East matches and falling out of the NSCAA East Region Poll, the Bearcats made a sharp u-turn against a Hofstra team with a RPI of No. 25 in the nation. With a 6-1-0 conference record, the Pride has already clinched the top seed in the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.
 
Flax's goal was the first of his collegiate career. His original shot was blocked but he got his own rebound and fired it into the net.
 
The Bearcats trailed 1-0 at the half but deadlocked the game in the 56th minute when senior forward Logan Roberts finished off a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Conrad Nowowiejski. It was his first goal of the season.
 
The Hofstra goal came courtesy of Danny Elliott in the 32nd minute. It was his sixth goal of the year and was assisted by Joseph Holland.
 
At the other end of the field, the hero for Binghamton was redshirt freshman goalkeeper Chris Shutler. Making his second start of the year, he made seven saves to improve to a perfect 2-0-0.
 
Hofstra outshot the Bearcats 15-9 for the game but by only 8-7 in the decisive second half.
 
"I thought we were very good tonight, especially in the second half," head coach Paul Marco said. "We got right back out on the field the morning after our last game and really responded well. We needed all hands on deck tonight and got a great performance."
 
Binghamton returns home for a 7 p.m. game on Saturday against Stony Brook. It was will the team's annual Senior Day Game.
 
NOTES: The Bearcats came into the match with a RPI of No. 77 in the nation … Nowowiejski and Roberts had both recently returned to action following injuries that kept them out for the past month … Flax's goal is the first this year scored by a Bearcat freshman.