Liberty Latest: Binghamton and Nazareth Win Close Ones

Binghamton and Nazareth both won tight games in Liberty Conference's Empire Division to move to 2-0.

Binghamton produced a very nice performance to defeated the University at Buffalo 27-22.

This was the first win Binghamton has earned over Buffalo since the 2011-2012 season. In a hugely physical encounter both teams needed to empty their benches and it wasn't enough. Binghamton ended the game with 14 players and Buffalo may well have had to, as well. 

Rookie lock Dan Ahern made several line breaks throughout the second half to help relieve Buffalo pressure. Buffalo's defensive line speed neutralized many of the attacks of the Binghamton's backline.

This forced Binghamton to go to the forwards, and they took on the challenge well.

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Nazareth was almost pipped by Oswego. Brendan O'Neill opened the scoring with two penalty goals. But further forays into the Oswego end were stymied. Oswego replied with a penalty and then scored off a tap penalty to lead 10-6 at halftime. Nazareth continued to have scoring chances but Oswego's defense held. 

Owesgo powered over for one more and led 17-6. In the final 29 minutes Nazareth started to get closer. Curtis Raeford charged over and O'Neill's conversion made it 17-13. Then, with time winding down, Nazareth ran a nice movement with several players involved. Kyle Decker fed Tyler Ricciardiello who was over for the game-winner.

Nazareth and Binghamton will meet up next week.

UConn kept their winning streak alive with a well-taken win over UMass 26-0. UConn’s Peter Stokes put in an impressive performance with 16 points on three penalty goals, a conversions, and a try. Ethan Beri played well in the centers and scored a key try early in the second half, while wing Justin Wu finished it off with a late try to end the game.

It was a battle of the freshmen with both sides starting and playing a combined 12 freshmen on the day. UConn travels to BC on the 26th and UMass host Fairfield. 

Stony Brook, Fairfield, and Northeastern all won comfortably over the weekend.

Fairfield scored eight tries in a 54-7 defeat of Tufts. 

It was a solid performance by Fairfield, but Head Coach Austin Ryan was just as happy about his 2nd side.

"I’m extremely proud of the 2nds game we put out there," said Ryan. "It’s been a long time since I’ve been a part of a game in which every player is out there just to play and has no ego or other motive. What a great example of growing our game."

And Syracuse bounced back from a couple of tough losses with a seven-minute, four-try barrage to beat Brockport 64-5.

Eleven of Syracuse's 15 players made their first A-side start and five scored their first try. Fullback Joe Hamm and flyhalf Brady Thompson scored two tries each, both in their first starts, while hooker Liam Hannah played his first game as captain and was impressive in that role.

Here are the latest standings (updated):