VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Nikkos Psarras scored a pair of first-half goals, powering Binghamton (4-2-3) to a 3-0 win over Buffalo (8-2-0) in a non-conference men's soccer game before a Homecoming crowd of 1,801 on Saturday night at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The victory kept the Bearcats unbeaten at home (2-0-1) and was their highest scoring game so far this year.

Psarras, who now has a team-best three goals this season, is the first Bearcat player to score twice in a game since senior back Zach Galluzzo did the same against Siena on Sept. 19, 2015. The three-goal win represents the Bearcats' largest margin of victory since their 5-1 triumph over Stony Brook on Oct. 30, 2014.

The victory was all the more impressive for Binghamton because it came against a Buffalo team that is currently receiving votes in both major polls (NSCAA and College Soccer News). The Bearcats have now gone 1-1-1 against opponents who are either nationally ranked or receiving votes in the major polls.

"What a response from our guys tonight," head coach Paul Marco said. "I thought they were outstanding from the start all the way to the end. The guys worked very hard during the match and were rewarded with three great goals. I am delighted for the guys and the alumni who came back and also for the great crowd that came out to watch the match."

Psarras opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he received a long ball from sophomore midfielder Harrison Weilbacher. He then broke into the middle of the box and slid the ball into the net.

In the 36th minute, it was redshirt junior back Charlie Novoth who fired a long pass to Psarras. He then lobbed the ball over the Bulls' goalkeeper to put the Bearcats up 2-0.

Redshirt freshman Stephen McKenna padded the lead to 3-0 in the 58th minute when he scored on a close shot from in front of the net. Junior forward Ben Ovetsky and redshirt sophomore midfielder Isaiah Barrett set up McKenna's goal and were each credited with an assist.

With the fourth-highest scoring team in the nation (2.63 GPG), the Bulls were not about to go away following McKenna's goal. After being outshot 11-4 at one point, they narrowed the final shot deficit to 15-13 by the end of the match.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alejandro Cubillo made three saves, including a pair from close-range shots late in the second half, to record his fourth solo shutout of the year. He was aided by the backline of Novoth, McKenna, Galluzzo and sophomore Kevin Flesch.

The Bearcats remain home and will face Bucknell on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

NOTES: The attendance marked the 10th-highest in the 10-year history of the Bearcats Sports Complex. It was the largest crowd since the 2012 campaign … the last time Binghamton scored three times in a game was when they won 3-2 at Stony Brook in the America East quarterfinals last season … earlier this year, the Bearcats tied then No. 21 Siena 2-2 on Sept. 2 and lost 4-0 to Loyola-Chicago on Sept. 11. At the time, Loyola-Chicago was receiving votes but it has since moved up to No. 15 ... Novoth and Weilbacher each now have a team-high three assists this season.