Men's soccer: Ekblom's goal carries Orange past Clemson

By Matthew Alexander

On a humid Saturday that saw temperatures reach 80 degrees, Syracuse was able to cool down a hot Clemson squad. 

Coming into the day’s contest, the Tigers (3-4-0, 1-1-0 ACC) had won three straight and were riding high after a 6-0 blowout victory over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday. However, it was the Syracuse (6-1-0, 1-1-0 ACC) defense that stepped up, shutting out Clemson 1-0 and securing its first ACC win of the season. 

"Winning games on the road in the ACC is never easy,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre told SU Athletics, “and to be able to come down here and get three points on a hot day like we did, it really puts us in a good position moving forward.” 

Sophomore forward Emil Ekblom scored the deciding goal in the 14th minute from six yards out on an assist from Senior Jordan Murrell. It was Ekblom’s fourth goal of the season, and one that McIntyre called the “difference in the game.” 

The Orange continued its stellar defense, remaining tied for the national lead in fewest goals allowed this season and ranking second nationally in goals against average (0.17). 

The goose egg was the sixth of the season for SU goalkeeper Alex Bono, who has allowed only one tally all season. 

Syracuse can now look ahead to Tuesday’s contest on the road against the Binghamton.