|
BFP Article
The America East Conference men's soccer coaches tabbed the University of Vermont as the team to beat in a preseason poll.
Two months later, the Catamounts are a win away from proving them right.
Second-seeded UVM will take on top-seeded Binghamton today in Vestal, N.Y. The winner will wear a conference crown and earn a berth into the NCAA tournament, a destination the Cats haven't reached since 2000.
"Our goal from the outset of the season was to represent the conference in the NCAA tournament," said UVM head coach Jesse Cormier, whose team totes a 9-6-4 record into the contest with the Bearcats (8-6-5).
Vermont played to a scoreless draw with Binghamton in the second to last game of the regular season, a result that kept the Cats out of first place but provided them a bye into the semifinals, where they notched a 1-0 win over New Hampshire.
Binghamton has the stingiest defense in the cohttp://www.catamountcountry.com/components/com_mamboboard/emoticons/sad.pngnference, surrendering 18 goals in 19 games.
Vermont has perhaps the most potent -- and balanced -- attack in the conference, generating 27 goals. Jordan Crasilneck (6 goals), Tyler Hasman (5), T.J. Gore (4) and Lee Stephane Kouadio (3) are dangerous in the offensive third. Senior back Corey Bronner, who missed a chunk of the late season with a leg injury, is healthy.
"Binghamton definitely plays well defensively, with a lot of passion," Cormier said. "They take a lot of pride in a clean slate, but we really believe we can score against them. We have a lot of options and will create some different looks."
Go Cats Go!!!
|
