SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 8 Syracuse opened its 2017 campaign on Sunday night by easing to a 3-0 victory over Hartwick College in 105 minutes of soccer. The scrimmage, the first of the year for both squads, consisted of one 45-minute period and two 30-minute periods.
The Orange enjoyed the majority of the early possession in front of full bleachers at SU Soccer Stadium, but had to wait until the 31st minute for a goal. Freshman forward Tajon Buchanan [7] broke free toward the right side of the goal, and was fouled by Hartwick goalkeeper Lenny Wilson, earning a penalty kick.
Defender Kamal Miller [8] stepped up and dispatched the penalty into the top corner to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead.
The Orange failed to find the back of the net again in the opening 45 minutes, but found its stride in the second period. Johannes Pieles [9] put Syracuse up 2-0 in the 55th minute after Miller’s shot was saved, but the rebound found Pieles for a close-range strike.
Quality attacking from Hugo Delhommelle [10], Pieles, and Buchanan gave the Orange more chances in the second, but after two the score remained 2-0.
The lead grew to three after just two minutes of the third period as freshman Evan Peters [11]found the back of the net to move the score to its final tally of 3-0.
Head coach Ian McIntyre [12] was pleased with the result but said he hopes to see more from his team in the future.
“Hartwick is a program with an esteemed history, they’ve been in the national tournament two of the last three years. So this was a good opening test for us,” McIntyre said. “We will get better. There were enough glimpses tonight that we’ve got some pieces to work with.”
Miller, who finished with a goal and an assist, said he was glad to see the Orange score three goals in its opening scrimmage.
“Last year we came up short in a few games because we needed more goals,” Miller said. “We’ve put an emphasis on the defense really chipping in goals this year and taking some of the pressure off the offense.”
Hendrik Hilpert [13] played all 105 minutes in net for the Orange, recording just one save. Syracuse recorded 20 shots, with Hartwick only recording four.
The Orange return to action on Wednesday, hosting Villanova for a scrimmage at 7:00 p.m. The game is free.
