By Sam Donnelly, Staff Writer

Looking to bounce back from an 0-1-0 start in conference play, the UNH men’s soccer team took the field Saturday at Binghamton and fell just short again, losing 1-0.

Although the Wildcats outshot and seemingly outplayed the Bearcats, Binghamton was able to squeak out the victory with a goal by senior back Derrick Ladeairous in the 84th minute of regulation. The goal came when Ladearious blasted one from just outside the box. The loss drops the Wildcats to a 4-6-1 record, with an 0-2-0 start in conference play, while the victory keeps the Bearcats unbeaten in conference, 2-0-0, and improves their overall record to 4-8-0.

UNH tallied eight shots on goal while only surrendering five. Assistant coach Logan Hoffman said it isn’t the lack of chances, it’s the lack of finishing.

“We didn’t capitalize on chance we had near and around the box,” Hoffman said. “We were almost too selfish, trying to make that extra pass instead of getting shots on net.”

The UNH defense, including senior goalie Travis Worra, was stout. Only allowing five shots on net is often a recipe for success, but sometimes soccer has its own way of making things happen.

“All it takes is one moment,” Hoffman said. “That’s how soccer is. We have a senior goalie that has seen it all, and a couple of backs that I think are top in the conference. It is just one moment that changed the outcome of a game.”

Although the Wildcats have started the conference season off 0-2, both games have been on the road. UNH returns home this Wednesday to face an Albany team that is trying to get back to winning ways after losing 2-1 at UMass Lowell. Despite the advantage of returning home, Hoffman says the advantage is something they need to grasp.

“There is always an advantage when you play at home,” Hoffman said. “The question becomes can you go out and use it, and win a game.”

UNH may be finding solace at home, but it is a disadvantage with the quick turn around from a game on Saturday. The Wildcats will only have two days to get themselves ready for an Albany team that is facing the same challenge.

“It will be a lot of recovery and prep for the next game,” Hoffman said. “We wont look at last game, just try and get better as a team.”

As for the issues Albany could pose to the wildcats, Hoffman made it clear that each game at this point in the season is the same.

“It’s a conference game,” Hoffman said. “You have to find a way to out-compete your opponent. There are a lot of teams hovering around .500 and we need to scrap for points.”

UNH continues their season without head coach Rob Thompson due to an unexplained absence from the team. The UNH department of athletic communications still has no comment on either the status or return of Thompson, who has been away from the team since their road trip to Colorado in mid-September.

The Wildcats will take the field again Wednesday Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Cowell Stadium and are hoping to grab a victory to boost their confidence.