Box Score VESTAL, N.Y. – The UMass Lowell men's soccer team (2-8-3, 0-3-1 AE) fell to the Binghamton Bearcats (3-6-4, 1-1-2 AE), 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

"This one hurts," said head coach Kyle Zenoni. "We have to pick ourselves back up and get ready for a must-win game on Saturday. We gave up a penalty kick late and couldn't finish some very good chances in the box. We need to heal up and get ready for Saturday."

On offense, the River Hawks' lone goal was scored by senior Guillermo Francés Poquet (Enguera, Valencia). Also recording shots on goal were seniors Denis Petro (Michalovce, Slovakia), Borna Mikic (Kutina, Croatia) and sophomore Viljar Byrkjeland (Norheimsund, Norway). In net, senior Jacob Heihsel (Holliston, Mass.) tallied seven saves in a full 90 minutes of action.
 
Only nine minutes into the game, the River Hawks had a chance to get on the board first when sophomore Kai McLoughlin (Dural, New South Wales) fired a ball to Miklic right in front of the net, but the Bearcats goalie made a diving save to keep the visitors scoreless. In the 15th minute, Binghamton's Devin Heanue collected a pass in the box and snuck a shot past the diving Heihsel, giving the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, a backward pass from Binghamton found Ethan Homler who placed a shot in the back right corner of the net, doubling the hosts' advantage.
 
In the 36th minute, the River Hawks were able to cut the Bearcat lead in half. After freshman Michael Oliveri Jr.'s (West Islip, N.Y.) header attempt was deflected away by a Binghamton defender, Francés Poquet connected with the ball midair and sent it firing into the back of the net. The goal marked his fourth of the year, which extended his career-high, and pulled the River Hawks to within one heading into the break.
 
Coming out of the half, the River Hawks continued to battle defensively as they looked for their opportunity to even the score. Over the first 10 minutes of the half, neither team was able to find a shot opportunity despite splitting possession time. However, after a foul in the box, Binghamton broke the scoreless stretch in the 68th minute off a penalty kick, taking a 3-1 lead. UMass Lowell continued to push the ball down the field as they looked to gain momentum, but a Binghamton goal in the 82nd minute solidified the 4-1 final.
 
Next up, the River Hawks celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, October 22 when they take on the Bryant Bulldogs at Cushing Field. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.