The men’s soccer team entered Wednesday’s game against Binghamton hoping to translate the momentum from its recent success on the road — including Sunday’s win against Farleigh Dickinson — into a victory at Charles F. Berman Field on International Night. But the Red somberly left the rain-soaked pitch in defeat, losing, 2-0, to the Bearcats.

Despite the loss, however, the Red (3-3-1) did not leave the game forlorn. The Red dominated for periods of the first half, outshooting the Bearcats, 14-8, in the game.Balanced stride: Senior Matt Bouraee (12) leads Cornell with five points. The Red was shut out by Binghamton on Wednesday for the first time all season.

“We put up a good performance out there,” said senior captain Matt Bouraee. “I think if we keep our morale up and continue to work hard, I think the win will come our way.”

The Red had chances throughout the game, including a penalty kick by junior midfielder Scott Caldwell, which Binghamton (4-3) goaltender Jason Stenta managed to snag with a magnificent diving save.

Binghamton scored its first goal early in the first half, 12 minutes into the game , amidst a wild scramble. The Bearcats’ Kyle Kucharski booted the ball into a crowd of players and after a deflection off the Red defense, the ball trickled into the net behind junior goalie Scott Brody.

From Kucharski’s goal forward, the Red ramped up the offensive pressure, desperately seeking a tying goal. As head coach Jaro Zawislan described, “We kept on going after the equalizer and we had opportunities including the penalty shot … of course when you push up you open up space in the back ... and take some risks”.

As the Red continued to assault the Bearcats’ defense, Binghamton forward Andy Tiedt converted at the other end with a dagger in the 70th minute, making the score 2-0. Using deft footwork, Tiedt volleyed a throw-in from teammate Matt Robertson into the upper right-hand corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of Brody.

“We were just trying to push forward at that point,” Brody said. “Teams are going to get chances and they finished them.”

After Tiedt’s goal, the Red continued searching for seams in the Bearcat defense but couldn’t solve Binghamton’s Stenta, who finished with seven saves. Binghamton is the only team to blank the Red so far this season.

The Red’s next test will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. in an intra-state matchup against Long Island University’s Blackbirds at Charles F. Berman Field.

Under Zawislan, the Red will enter the game after a four-day hiatus. Sunday’s match will be the Red’s last game of non-conference play before next Saturday’s Ivy League match against Penn. Long Island (2-3) will enter the game on just one day’s rest, following today’s match against Manhattan. Despite their losing record, Long Island has several notable wins, including a 2-0 victory against UC Santa Clara’s perennial contender.

The Blackbirds, coached by TJ Kostecky, are led offensively by freshman phenomenon Jakeem Johnson who tops the Long Island forwards with three goals and seven points in five games.

Johnson was also named Adidas North East Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday. Long Island also has several other proven scorers, including senior midfielder Adam Kelemet who is second on the team with three points.

Against Long Island, the Red plans to revise some offensive miscues from the game against Binghamton.

“A couple of times our final touch failed us in the attacking third of the field. We need to be somewhat sharper” Zawislan said.

Thus, converting opportunities and moving seamlessly within the offensive third will be the Red’s goal on Sunday.

Bouraee agreed with Zawislan, stating, “I’m looking forward to leading plays where we can actually score, instead of just connecting well, and making that last pass, that last shot into the net.”

So look for the Red to come out determined to climb back above .500 with a honed offensive finishing touch on Sunday against the Blackbirds.