By Max Lederman

Atha Kirkopoulos converted a 64th minute penalty kick as Northeastern began its America East title defense with a 2-1 win over Binghamton Tuesday afternoon. Only 3:37 before the senior midfielder’s score, junior Michael Cipriano set up freshman Daniel Ivec for his first colliegiate tally. With the win, the Huskies record stands at 2-1 overall. The Northeastern men’s soccer team entered last Saturday’s game against URI ranked 16th in the NSCAA/adidas men’s top 25 poll after the team’s opening game victory over Holy Cross, the highest ranking an NU men’s soccer team has ever had. The ranking won’t last for long, as the Dogs were shutout 3-0 against the Rams. NU’s foe entered the game with an 0-3 record and were desperate for a win, while the Huskies, who were trying to live up to the hype of being ranked 16th in the nation, seemed like they were trying not to lose instead of trying to win. “I think the ranking definitely played a roll in us being shutout,” said coach Ed Matz. “We appreciate being ranked so high, but it’s way too early. I think a lot of it was based on what we did last year.” Last year the Huskies won the America East Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before being eliminated by crosstown rival Boston College. “We think we deserve the ranking, but it’s just not something you want to happen this early in the season,” Matz said. “The team’s playing like they’re afraid to lose.” All the hype wasn’t enough to fend off a team that just seemed hungrier. “It was a must win for URI and they had us back on our heels the whole game,” the seventh year coach added. The first goal of the game, what turned out to be the winner, came in the first half after the Huskies were called for a questionable foul inside the box, giving URI senior forward Perek Belleh a penalty kick. Belleh converted his first of two goals in the game. Fifteen minutes later, Belleh netted his second score after being set up by URI junior Sasha Gotsmanov. “There were some questionable calls, but it seemed like we spent more time complaining than playing,” Matz said. The loss dropped the Huskies record to 1-1. On August 29 the Huskies shut out Holy Cross in the season opener. The 1-0 score came behind Michael Cipriano’s late first-half goal. The junior forward picked up were he left off last season when he was second on the team with four winning goals and third on the team in points with 18 (six goals and six assists). Northeastern outshot Holy Cross 13-5 in the match and NU goalkeeper Sergio Saccoccio made two saves on the way to his first shutout of the season. This Friday and Sunday the men’s soccer team will square off against Denver and Air Force in the John Byrden Classic held in Denver. The team doesn’t resume conference play until Sept. 25 in Hartford. NOTES: Goalie Sergio Saccoccio made seven saves for NU against Binghamton while surrendering just a single goal, raising his saves per game average to five while lowering his goals against mark to 1.33 over three contests.