Springer sets career record, BU downs Manhattan

3/16/2013 (Updated 11:09:28 PM)

Vestal, N.Y.Junior attack Matt Springer buried a team-high five goals in the Binghamton (3-3) 13-6 win over visiting Manhattan (1-6) at the Bearcats Sports Complex on Saturday. Springers third goal of the game set both the Binghamton program record in hat tricks (9) and goals (67). He now has 69 career goals in just 34 games played at Binghamton.

In total, six different players recorded a goal for Binghamton against the Jaspers; including senior Tyler Perrelle. Perrelle, like Springer, had a program record set of his own on Saturday. With his fourth quarter tally, the Mahopac, NY native registered his 98th career point which surpasses Matt McNamaras six-year record. He has 51 career goals and 47 assists in a little over three seasons.

Just two games after setting a new career high of four assists, sophomore Tucker Nelson has eclipsed that mark. Against the Jaspers, Nelson dished out five assists; three of which went to Springer. Juniors Brandon Planck and Michael Antinozzi reeled off three and two goals respectively as the Bearcats put together their best 60 minutes of offense this season.

I thought we came out ready to play, scoring four or five quick goals to start the game, head coach Scott Nelson said afterwards. I give them (Manhattan) credit, they hustled and fought all day. They made it difficult on us at times, but to our credit we battled through it and played a pretty complete game on both sides of the ball.

In the first half, Springer set the tempo for the home squad. He put the Bearcats on the board first with a low skipping shot that found the back of the net. After a few minutes of scoreless action; he struck once again, firing a hard shot into the right side of the cage for his second goal of the game. Fifty seconds eclipsed before BU increased their lead to three off an Antinozzi score; his ninth of the season.

Still in the first, Binghamton would not take their foot of the pedal. Into the flow of the offense, Planck was able to find a cutting J.T. Hauck in front of the goal mouth. The sophomore midfielder wasted little time, heaving a shot over the reach of Manhattan goalie Michael Wiatrak. For good measure, Planck ended off the quarter with a goal of his own on the assist from Tucker Nelson.

The second quarter featured less offense as each team tallied just one goal apiece. Manhattans goal a little over five minutes into the quarter ended the Bearcats 5-0 run. As the clock winded down under two minutes in the half, Springer secured the scoring record in patented fashion. The strong lefty back his way into the left side of the field and fired a quick turnaround shot that bounced its way passed Wiatrak. The goal would be the last of the half, keeping Binghamton ahead 6-1.

Just as they started the game, Binghamton came out in the second half determined. Planck put the Bearcats ahead six with his second goal of the game and Antinozzi beat Wiatrak between the legs on a man-down situation for the Bearcats. His goal boosted their lead to 8-1. The visitors went on to score back-to-back goals just eight seconds apart to cut their deficit to five, but thats as close as they would get.

Springer tallied two more goals in the games final 15 minutes of play, giving him a team-high 11 on the season. He came up just one goal shy of tying his personal-best of six (which was set against Villanova back in 2011). Junior Kelly Donigan scored a goal in his fifth straight game, capping off the Bearcats second straight win at home to start the season.

Junior goalie Max Schefler continued his outstanding play in net for BU, stopping 14 saves on Saturday. Schefler allowed just five goals on the afternoon, improving his goals against average (GAA) to 7.91. Fellow junior Alex Doerflein controlled the faceoff circle all afternoon for Binghamton, winning 14-of-21 (career-high). He also scooped up a team-high 14 ground balls against the Jaspers who fall to 1-6 on the year.

Binghamton bested the MAAC school in groundballs (35-24), faceoffs (16-of-23) and shots (42-41). Freshman Chris Bechle secured a career high four ground balls in what was his sixth straight start in a Bearcats uniform. Both teams combined 0-for-7 on the afternoon on man-up opportunities.

Manhattan was led by Brett Madraszs three goals, which also happened to be his first three scores of the season as well. Wiatraz made nine saves and scooped up a ground ball in the loss.

The Bearcats waste little time before their next game as they host Penn State on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Nittany Lions are 3-3 on the season and are ranked #18 in the nation. This will be the first time in program history the two teams have met.

(Courtesty: BU Athletics)

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