In a defensive grudge match that didn’t feature a goal until well into the second half, Binghamton (4-5-0, 0-0-0) defeated the Syracuse men’s soccer team (2-6-0, 0-0-0) Tuesday, 2-1. SU’s offense did not tally a score until the 89th minute when senior Dan Summers scored the first goal of his Syracuse career.
“Nothing was quite clicking tonight,” Summers [6]said.
Both teams were stuck in a defensive battle throughout the game, which included two nullified goals and only four combined shots after the first 25 minutes. Neither team stood out, but Syracuse’s offensive was surprisingly flat after such a prolific performance only three days before playing Marquette.
“We just weren’t shooting, “ senior captain Nick Roydhouse [7] said. “We were in the position but we were trying to make one more pass rather than taking the shot.”
Roydhouse attempted to make a cross to either junior Lars Muller [8] or Summers multiple times, but neither were able to a get a good look at the goal or get off a decent shot. Roydhouse had an great look off a free kick in the 71st minute, but the ball bounced off the top crossbar just inches from the net.
“We didn’t come out quick like we have been in the past,” senior goalkeeper Phil Boerger [9] said, “And it showed in the whole game.”
Boerger finished the game with only three saves, but was unable to rally his defense after a shut-out in the first half.
“In the first half we did okay defensively,” Boerger said. “But in the second half we just had a couple breakdowns.”
Those breakdowns coincided with Binghamton's two goals [10]in the second half. The first came in the 54th minute when Jerome Robinson [11]scored off Jake Keegan’s [12] cross, and the second in the 74th minute when sophomore Luke Halberg [13] scored off a pass from freshman Steven Celeste [14].
The first real sign of offensive chemistry for the Orange came late in the game at the 89th minute. Freshman Nick Perea [15] ran down the field, avoiding defenders before making a nice pass to Muller. Muller crossed to Summers who rocketed a shot past the Bearcats goalkeeper to bring SU within one. Summers was then able to get another decent look at the goal with seconds remaining on the clock, but couldn't come up with the equalizer at the buzzer.
“It’s not about the prettiest soccer,” SU coach Ian McIntrye said. “It’s not about who has the most technical players. It’s about hunger, passion, and I think we were second best tonight.”
Syracuse hopes to regain their composure on the road against Big East rival Pittsburgh [16](2-6-1, 0-1-0) on Saturday.
(Image courtesy of Stock.XCHNG)
