LOWELL, Mass. — Senior back Will Noecker and redshirt freshman back Cailen Thomas each scored within three-minute span, powering Binghamton (4-8-2, 2-1-2 AE) to a 2-1 victory over UMass Lowell (2-9-3, 0-5-0 AE) in an America East men's soccer game on Saturday afternoon at Cushing Field. The victory is the second in the Bearcats' last three conference matches as well as the third in their last four road games.

Binghamton remains in the thick of the America East standings with just two conference matches remaining to be played during the regular season. The Bearcats sit just two points in back of first-place UMBC and four other teams are within three points of the Retrivers.

Despite outshooting the River Hawks 22-10 during the match, the Bearcats found themselves down 1-0 in the 51st minute. Guillermo Frances Poquet gave UMass Lowell the lead at that time on a goal assisted by Patrick Pires. 

Searching for the equalizer, graduate student back Devin Heanue took a free kick in the 60th minute. His shot was deflected into the net by Noecker. It was the first goal of the year for Noecker. 

Just three minutes later, Thomas scored the game-winning goal on a scramble from inside the penalty box. The goal marked Thomas' second in as many games. In the process, Thomas became the first Binghamton player to score in back-to-back games this season since graduate student Jack Green against Colgate (Sept. 1) and St. Bonaventure (Sept. 5).

"I thought we were good from the first whistle today," head coach Paul Marco said. "We were creating chances and our attacking players were great today. It was disappointing to go down a goal but our guys stuck to the game plan and it was great to get two set-piece goals."

Binghamton hosts Bryant on Friday at 6:07 p.m. in its annual Senior Day Game. 

NOTES: The match Binghamton's third straight win against the River Hawks including the second in a row at Cushing Field.