The Binghamton Bearcats made the America East conference tournament every year from 2004-2009, annually losing in the semi-final matchup. Instead of getting over the hump in the new decade and making it to the conference final, the Bearcats have made the tournament once in the last three years. The 2012 season was a disappointing one for Binghamton that saw them go 4-9 overall and 1-4 against America East opponents, finishing last in conference standings.
Senior captain Tyler Perrelle will lead the Bearcats in 2013. The midfielder comes off a 42 point 2012 campaign that earned him team MVP honors. Joining Perrelle at mid will be junior Michael Antinozzi. Antinozzi comes off an incredibly successful sophomore season in which he set school records in single-season goals (32) and points (46) and was a first team all conference selection. Sophomore middie J.T. Hauck returns after posting 30 points as a rookie and being named to the conference all rookie team.
Matt Springer will provide an added scoring punch this spring. Before redshirting in 2012 due to a foot injury, Springer led the Bearcats in scoring in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. In addition to being named 2010 team MVP and second team all conference in 2011, Springer held the school record for single-season goals with 29 before it was broke by Antinozzi last season. Joining Springer on attack will be junior Brandon Planck, who finished with a solid 21 goals last season to go along 8 assists for 29 points. Junior Kyle Bakker and sophomore Paul O’Donnell also contributed on attack last season and will look to improve on those numbers this spring.
Junior defenseman Greg Cove will step up this year after recently being named a team captain (along with Perrelle, Springer and senior defensive mid Shane Warner). Cove started every game as a sophomore and earned second team all conference accolades. Juniors Garrett Augustyn and Shawn Needham also return on the defensive end.
Senior goaltender Kraig Heston looks to lockdown the starting position for 2013. Heston saw action in four games as a junior, starting one. Sophomore Colin Nesdale, who started 3 games registering 1 win in 2012, has transferred and is now at Qunnipiac. Heston will battle junior Max Schefler and freshman Eric Fischer for the starting spot
With a strong returning core and a healthy Matt Springer to boost the offense, Binghamton will look to rebound in 2013 and once again be a regular in the America East conference tournament.
