NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team conceded four unanswered goals to lose to the Binghamton Bearcats, 4-2, on Wednesday night.

“We are able to score goals, but we got to become a better defensive side,” head coach Dermot McGrane said.  “We are comfortable that we can score against any team, but the problem is can we keep them out of our own net.”

Niagara (1-5-1) took the lead against the run of play with two goals in a three-minute span. In the 23rd minute, the Binghamton goalkeeper’s attempted clear of Michael Malone’s cross was deflected off of a Bearcats defender and Bryan Da Cruz was the first to pounce on the ball to net his first goal of the season.

NU’s second goal started from a midfield pass by Jordan DeRoy to Carl Haworth who crossed from the right side of the field to Liam Gilbert at the penalty kick spot and he finished past the keeper to give Niagara a 2-0 lead after 26 minutes.

Binghamton (2-4-2) would make the most of its chances and responded quickly. In a four-minute span, the Bearcats erased the 2-0 deficit with goals in the 27th and 32nd minute to tie the match at 2-2. In the 44th minute, BU took the lead from a strike by Adam Whitehead along the top of the penalty box. The Bearcats would score their fourth goal in the 63rd minute.

Niagara continues its rivalry week slate of games on Friday with a 7 p.m. contest against the Buffalo Bulls under the lights at Niagara Field.