BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK - Undefeated Bryant (13-0-1) continued their dominant season with a 2-0 victory over Binghamton (4-10) on Saturday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to 13 matches while handing Binghamton their sixth consecutive loss.
Abdel Talabi opened the scoring for Bryant in the 10th minute, finishing a well-crafted assist from Jaime Amaro. The Bulldogs doubled their advantage late in the second half when Marc Pitarch Bayot found the net in the 79th minute, with Tiago Dias and Jaime Amaro combining for the setup.
The first half saw Bryant establish control early, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Fermin Rodriguez tested Binghamton's defense with a shot in the 8th minute, followed by Talabi's breakthrough goal. The Bulldogs' pressure continued as Jorge Veintimilla forced a save in the 26th minute. Paco Fernandez received a yellow card in the 22nd minute for unsporting behavior, but it didn't disrupt Bryant's momentum.
Bryant maintained their attacking presence after the break, with Tiago Dias creating danger in the 52nd minute. The visitors' tactical adjustments proved effective as they controlled possession and limited Binghamton's counterattacks. Caoimhin McConnell generated multiple chances, including threatening shots in the 61st and 63rd minutes. The Bearcats showed resistance through Anthony Randazzo and Alex Balkey's attempts in the 76th minute, but couldn't break through Bryant's defensive organization.
The statistical dominance reflected Bryant's control of the match. The Bulldogs outshot Binghamton 16-3, putting 12 attempts on target compared to none for the hosts. Bryant also held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. The physical contest saw three yellow cards issued, with Binghamton's Rio Onwumere and Simon Knuewe cautioned in the 80th and 84th minutes respectively.
Jaime Amaro's two assists highlighted his creative influence, while Tiago Dias controlled the midfield with precise distribution. Binghamton's defensive unit, led by Will Mahoney, worked tirelessly against Bryant's persistent attack. The Bearcats' goalkeeper made 10 crucial saves to prevent the margin from widening further.
Bryant's tactical approach emphasized quick transitions and width, utilizing their speed advantage through Talabi and Pitarch Bayot. Binghamton attempted to counter with a defensive structure, but struggled to maintain possession against Bryant's high press. The Bulldogs' substitution pattern, including strategic changes around the 60th minute, helped maintain their attacking intensity.
The victory reinforces Bryant's position as one of the nation's top teams, having conceded just three goals all season while maintaining their unbeaten record. For Binghamton, despite the result, their defensive resilience against a powerful opponent showed promise, though their offensive struggles continued.
Muslim Umar and Jose Alves Faria provided fresh energy off the bench for Bryant in the closing stages, helping secure their eleventh clean sheet of the season. The Bulldogs' disciplined performance demonstrated why they've emerged as a formidable force in collegiate soccer this fall.
Bryant looks to extend their winning streak when they visit Princeton on October 21, while Binghamton aims to snap their losing streak at UAlbany on October 25. The Bulldogs' championship aspirations remain firmly on track, while the Bearcats will focus on finding offensive solutions in their remaining fixtures.