VESTAL, N.Y. – Junior forward Shawn Coles scored twice and added an assist, powering Binghamton (5-8-4, 3-2-2 AE) to a 4-2 win over UMBC (10-5-2, 4-3-0 AE) in an America East men's soccer game on Tuesday night at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats conclude their regular season with two straight victories and will carry the No. 5 seed into an America East quarterfinal rematch at No. 4 UMBC on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Binghamton returns to the postseason for the first time since 2019. What makes the accomplishment all the more impressive is that the Bearcats started off the current season 0-6-2 before finishing the regular season on a 5-2-2 stretch. In Binghamton's past five matches, it has scored 12 goals.

"I thought the energy in the group was outstanding tonight," head coach Paul Marco said. "Our guys up front were hungry to score goals and Shawn was great today. His tenacity and drive were fantastic. Through the last month, our group has really discovered what a good competitive spirit is and what it takes to win at this level."

Coles did all of his damage during a 10-minute span midway through the first half. With the Bearcats down 1-0, he tied the game in the 26th minute when he took a pass from senior back Devin Heanue and got by the keeper for a close-range score. Three minutes later, Coles assisted on junior forward Markos Touroukis' go-ahead goal, which came on a blast from just outside the penalty box. In the 36th minute, Coles tipped in sophomore midfielder Billy Clark's shot, giving the Bearcats a 3-1 lead at half.

UMBC got back in the match when Alek Wroblewski headed in a cross from Hans Nesheim in the 65th minute. It was his fifth goal of the season.

Binghamton closed out the match on a goal by Ethan Homler in the 88th minute. Freshman back Will Mahoney took the ball at midfield and got by the Retriever defense. He then passed the ball to a wide-open Homler who scored his fourth goal in the past five matches.

Binghamton finished the match with a 15-10 advantage in total shots and a 7-4 lead in shots on goal.

Senior goalkeeper Mats Roorda made a pair of saves in the victory.

With a 3-2-2 record in conference play, the Bearcats have attained their highest winning percentage in America East matches (.571) since also going 3-2-2 during the 2010 campaign.

Binghamton and UMBC square off in the America East Tournament for the first time since the 2009 quarterfinals. The Retrievers won that match 2-1. In the all-time post-season series, however, Binghamton holds a 2-1 lead.