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Binghamton, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure Men's Soccer team (6-3-0) went on the road Friday night and defeated the Binghamton Bearcats (2-5-2) by the score of 1-0 under the lights at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats had been unbeaten in their previous three home games going into tonight, but the Bonnies proved to be up to the task and played the spoiler in the contest. Tonight's game marked the first matchup between the two teams in eight years.

The first half between the Bonnies and Bearcats featured a combined total of four shots, as both teams appeared hesitant to take too many chances.  Both sides would exchange ball possession for much of the half, and in the 39th minute, the patience would pay off for the Brown and White, as they got on the board by a goal from senior Emmett O'Connor off of a nice feed from fellow senior James Reed. The goal, a strike from about 15 yards out on the right side of the field, marked O'Connor's 4th goal of the season. The Bonnies would take the 1-0 lead into halftime.

The majority of the second half would be played in a very similar fashion to that of the first half, where neither team really seemed to take control of the game. However, as time began to wind down in the contest, the Bearcats would put some added pressure on St. Bonaventure, but the SBU defense was up to the challenge, managing to keep the bulk of the Binghamton shots to the outside.  Binghamton grew desperate as the final minutes of the game neared, but the Bonnies countered and went into a real defensive mode, keeping the majority of its players back on defense to protect the one goal lead. Bonnies goalkeeper Jeremy Figler battled and stayed strong in net, facing a total of 9 shots in route to his shutout performance. 

The lone goal from Emmett O'Connor would prove to be all that was needed for St. Bonaventure to get the win in this one, as the Bonnies would add another game to the win column on Friday night, improving to 6-3-0 season.  

Following the Bonnies victory, SBU Head Coach Mel Mahler had this to say: "Tonight we played with a focused determination – something that has been missing the past few matches. Binghamton is well coached and created some chances we found difficult to defend. Coach Hesch has been working with James to hit the kind of ball he played to Emmett more often and it resulted in a great match winning goal. We'll enjoy this important road win a bit longer but we need to get ready for Canisius this Sunday."

St. Bonaventure returns home on Sunday (Sept. 29) to face Western New York rival – the Canisius College Golden Griffins.  The Bonnies are looking to get some revenge against Canisius, as the Griffs have won each of the last two meetings against the Brown and White. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at McGraw-Jennings Field.