It took 60 minutes and 15 seconds to decide the American East Conference game between Stony Brook (7-4, 3-1 AE) and the Binghamton Bearcats (3-7, 1-3 AE), but it was Stony Brook who came out on top 7-6 in Binghamton, N.Y. Both Stony Brook and Binghamton played in their first overtime games of the year.
The scoring began eight minutes into the game when freshman Jordan McBride got inside on the Binghamton defense after receiving a pass from senior Bo Tripodi. Six seconds later, the Bearcats responded to tie the game up, and took the lead late in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter freshman Kevin Crowley scored his first goal of the game on a nice move to the inside. Three minutes later, senior Michal Trojanowski scored. It was his second goal of the season. Binghamton responded with two goals of their own to go into the half leading 4-3.
Sophomore Rob Camposa got the start in goal for the Seawolves. It was his first start of the season, and his third appearance. He made nine saves on the day. Binghamton totaled 35 shots in the game while Stony Brook only recorded 24.
Six minutes into the third quarter, Binghamton extended their lead. But six seconds later, McBride scored his second on the day off of a face-off win and pass by freshman Adam Rand. It was his first point of the year. Rand won all four face-offs he took in the fourth quarter. Crowley scored five minutes later off a feed from McBride to tie the game at five.
The fourth quarter did not see many goals, but saw more than enough opportunities. Both teams hit the post, and Camposa made three big saves. Binghamton also could not convert on an extra man opportunity. With 1:45 left, Binghamton scored the go ahead goal to put them up 6-5. The Seawolves continued to work and McBride found the back of the net for his third goal of the game with nine seconds left. Senior Rhys Duch assisted on the goal.
Overtime did not last long. Only 15 seconds in, Duch picked up the ground ball, found Crolwey, and with a great individual effort, took the ball to the net and scored the game winner.
With the win, the Seawolves have clinched a spot in the American East Tournament, which begins May 1. The tournament will be played at UMBC in Maryland after the Retrievers defeated Hartford 16-5 on Saturday.
The Seawolves will be back in action Tuesday night to take on Long Island rival Hofstra. The Pride (6-5), ranked #20 in the nation, will look to avenge a loss to Stony Brook when they fell 13-12 to the Seawolves in OT last year. In the past four years, the Seawolves are 2-2 against the Pride. The game starts at 7:00 at LaValle Stadium.
