After a 15-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Binghamton men's soccer team is gearing up for its 2020-21 winter season. The six-game, regular-season slate begins on Feb. 26 with a home match against Albany.
For head coach Paul Marco and the Bearcats, the appreciation for returning to play is significant given the fact that they did not have a fall schedule.

"First of all, it's great to be back and be with the team at training," he said. "Our first weeks of resocialization is behind us and the guys have looked terrific. It has shown through their spirit and enthusiasm. It's been a long time since we have been able to play a full game and our athletic department and university have done a terrific job in getting us to this point."

Although the Bearcats have not been on a soccer field during the past 15 months, they have grown as a team in other ways.

"We haven't done full team workouts since last fall but mentally, we experienced these last 15 months together as a team," Marco said. "We have gotten together on Zoom calls, met with some of our alumni and have tried to talk through the challenging moments. Things have changed but we have created a new way to build everyone up during those times that we have been unable to share a soccer ball."

The 2019 season was one of growth and progress for the Bearcats. They returned to the America East Tournament after a two-year absence. Binghamton won three of its last five conference matches and captured a pair of overtime victories. Despite the long layoff, there was a lot to build on from that season to this current one.

"We grew in an understanding of what the game requires from a physical, emotional and combative standpoint," Marco said. "One of the things that (Assistant Coach) Tommy (Moon) and I took away from that season is that our guys are really ready to be pushed soccer-wise. The project this year's team is extended from what we started in 2019."

GOALKEEPERS

Sophomores P.J. Parker and Mats Roorda split time in the net in 2019 and both proved that they are capable starters. Parker was named to the America East All-Rookie Team. Behind that duo is redshirt freshman Ryan McGovern.

"Goalkeeping is a very strong position for us," Marco said. "Mats and P.J. each push each other in certain ways during training and are each capable of starting for us. We have two No. 1 keepers in most other programs from watching them right now. We are in a good place with both of them."

BACK LINE

The wide backs are led by redshirt sophomore Carter Beaulieu and sophomore Devin Heanue. A pair of redshirt freshmen – Jacob Warner and Anthony Lazaridis – are also in the mix for starting spots.

The center backs are led by junior Ryan Pyszka and sophomore Michael Bush. Junior transfer Tim Leuenberger and freshman Will Noecker are two newcomers who could crack the starting group.

"Our backs are another competitive group," Marco said. "We are in good hands, especially at the central midfield position. We have several new players that have increased the depth and competition. We have a lot of options and it will be who is in form for that day."

MIDFIELD

Senior Lucas Arzan, who recently played for his Puerto Rican National Team, junior Andrew McDonell and sophomore Ethan Homler are the top returning starters. Homler had a two-goal game against Columbia in 2019 while McDonnell scored twice and was named to the America East All-Tournament Team. A pair of sophomores – Tyler Meotti and Sean Molloy – each started three matches during their rookie campaigns.

Two newcomers to the midfield are freshman Cooper Sayles and Georges Richard. Redshirt sophomore Parker McKnight is also in the mix for playing in the midfield.

"We have loads of guys in the midfield," Marco said. "Some of our new players have been very good so far and the growth of the midfield since training started has been good."

FORWARDS

Senior Noah Luescher, who was named second-team all-conference in 2019 as a midfielder moves up front for his final season. He led the Bearcats with five goals and 12 total points as a junior and netted a pair of game winners.

"Noah has come back with some captain qualities he didn't have in the past," Marco said. "He has always been a good leader by example but is much better this year at being vocal and keeping everyone else in line."

Sophomore Dan Mansfield scored twice in his rookie season. Fellow sophomores Matt Cozetti and Kosta Nika made a combined total of 12 starts in 2019. Redshirt freshman Rory Anderson and freshman Jaden Graben are the top new players in the group. McDonnell is also capable of playing up front.

"This is a good, lively group," Marco said. "We have been working a lot on finishing during preseason and our newcomers have been good in front of the goal."

SCHEDULE
With the fall season having been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the matches in the spring will be followed by the America East Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

In addition to the season-opener against Albany, other home matches are against UMBC (March 19) and Hartford (April 2). On the road, the Bearcats travel to NJIT (March 5), Hartford (March 12) and Albany (March 26). The exact format and dates for the America East Tournament have yet to be announced.