Now that goalkeeper Jack Binks is finally back in the box, the junior from Darlington, England, has become a real force for St. Francis College in net.
Binks had to sit out last season after he transferred from Sienna due to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, but Terriers coach Tom Giovatto says it’s been worth the wait.
“It’s a big change in the back. He’s a big leader — he’s very vocal in the back,” Giovatto said. “He’s great at organizing and he’s doing a great job.”
The British goalie has played every minute of this season and collected 35 saves over nine games. St. Francis College is currently 7–2–1 overall and 1–0–0 in Northeast Conference play — after winning just seven games last year without him. Binks has posted four straight shutouts during the Terriers seven-game unbeaten streak and has a 0.69 goals against average this season.
Giovatto knew Binks was a gem after his amazing freshman season at Siena College, when he posted a 0.89 goals against average, which was a program single-season record. Binks transferred to Brooklyn late for the 2012 season and therefore the Terriers red shirted him for the entire year.
Now that the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Binks is in net, his talent is really showing on the pitch. He developed his skill during his youth playing for Middleborough Football Club and Chalton Athletic FC Youth Academies in London before coming to Siena. But he thinks he still has plenty of room to learn and improve.
“I feel like I’m getting better every year, the best goalkeepers mature in their 30’s,” said the 22-year-old Binks. “I think I’m maturing, my knowledge of the game is getting better. I feel like goalkeepers have got to have good management skills, and they’ve got to be in control on and off the field.
The Terriers are looking good so far in the season. Kevin Correa and Gabriel Bagot both lead the team with six goals apiece. Giovatto believes his team is even better than it’s playing now. The players want to keep up their strong play and bring a conference title to Brooklyn.
“I can see us easily going unbeaten,” Binks said. “It’s only going to get better from here.”
He has brought a special confidence to the Terriers and Giovatto is well aware of that Binks is a big reason why St. Francis College is in the position it’s in.
“The better he is, the better we’re going to be as a team,” Giovatto said.
