VESTAL, N.Y. - The No. 24-ranked Cornell men's soccer team had a multitude of reasons to celebrate following its 2-1 victory over Binghamton on Tuesday night at the Bearcat Sports Complex. In addition to the Big Red getting back into the win column, Tuesday's triumph was the 100th in the head coaching career of Cornell's 6th year head coach John Smith (100-61-17).

Cornell (9-2-1) out-shot the Bearcats 13-6 overall and 7-3 in shots on goal. The Big Red defense held Binghamton without a shot on goal for the entire second half of play. Cornell possessed the ball in its attack third for 85 percent of its total possession, leading to 11 corner kick opportunities. Junior goalkeeper Brady McSwain made a pair of saves and played the ball well on Binghamton's crossing chances. Freshman forward Danny Lokko made his first career start.

"This was an important performance for us," Smith said. "Any time you lose, regardless of how well you played, there is always a chance that confidence is slightly impacted. Tonight, the guys showed their mettle. To come from behind and win this game on the back of two great goals really highlighted just how gritty this group of guys are."

Despite heading into the halftime locker room with the score knotted up at 1-1, the Big Red turned in a dominant first half performance. Cornell maintained possession in its attacking third for a majority of the period and out-shot the Bearcats 7-3 overall. The Big Red took an astounding eight corner kicks in the first half, but were unable to capitalize on any set pieces.

Binghamton's lone goal of the game took advantage of Cornell's aggressiveness as a counter-attack in the 16th minute set up Oliver Svalander for the game's first goal. With the Big Red pushed up deep into the attacking third, an outlet pass from Michael Bush to Svalander presented the Bearcats with one defender to beat. A turn and shot from inside the 18-yard box by Svalander sent a ball into the upper left corner of the net.

Cornell evened the score at 1-1 in the 36th minute of play when senior defender Tate Keir received a free kick inside the box. Keir settled the ball and dribbled towards the end line where he fired a crossing pass in front of goal. Sophomore defender Henry Hylbert was in perfect position to send the ball past Binghamton's keeper using his head. It's Hylbert's third goal of the season and Keir's first career assist.

The Big Red wasted no time taking a 2-1 advantage over Binghamton out of the break. Senior forward Emeka Eneli's 49th minute cross found the head of freshman midfielder Wilson Eisner who had an open look on goal. It's Eisner's second career goal and Cornell's first goal within the first 10 minutes of the second half this season.

Cornell had several chances to increase its lead in the second half, but luck was not on its side. Fifth-year midfielder Tyler Bagley had an open look on net bend just wide of the goal in the 51st minute and an 88th minute penalty kick from fifth-year midfielder Harry Fuller pushed right of goal.

Up Next: Cornell returns to Berman Field on Saturday, Oct. 23 for an Ivy League match against Brown. It's the first of four Ivy League matches to close out the regular season for the Big Red in 2021. Brown will enter Saturday's match with a 3-7-1 record overall and a 1-1-1 mark in Ancient Eight play. The Bears played to a 2-2 draw against Harvard last Saturday.

Starting XI:
GK: Brady McSwain
D: Nick Allen
D: Tate Keir
D: Henry Hylbert
D: Jonah Kagen
M: Tyler Bagley
M: Harry Fuller
M: Wilson Eisner
M: Lalo Serrano
F: Emeka Eneli
F: Danny Lokko