Comeback Effort by Men's Soccer Falls Short at No. 4 Syracuse
BOX SCORE
SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Just the second team to score on No. 4 Syracuse all season, the University at Albany men's soccer squad (3-4-5) fell 2-1 at No. 4 Syracuse (10-1) on Tuesday night. Afonso Pinheiro tallied the equalizer in the loss.
“Tonight was an outstanding challenge for our team,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We competed very well and showed great determination to come back and equalize on the road against a top-5 opponent. We would've liked to have gotten more out of the game, but you really need to take the chances you create. Overall it will make us stronger heading back into our league schedule.”
With its all-time best national ranking in hand, No. 4 Syracuse came out early looking to control the pace. UAlbany had some early looks in the first half on Orange turnovers. Pedro Espindola fired a shot across the goal line after an initial attempt by Anthony Rozzano was blocked.
Espindola was the intended target of a pass over the top from Afonso Pinheiro five minutes later, but the Brazilian pair couldn't quite connect for a look on goal.
Syracuse further asserted its presence in the offensive third mid-way through the first half, winning the time of possession battle. Tim Allen punched away several Orange looks on goal, but the 'Cuse pressure continued. The Syracuse forward line found its way through the midfield a number of times, but tackles from Dominic McGarr and Bernardo Mattos kept the game tied 0-0.
The Orange found the back of the net on a swinging corner kick with 12 minutes left in the first half to take a 1-0 lead.
Phil Denara entered the game shortly after the Syracuse goal, and put on one of the better UAlbany looks of the half. Jake Barros found Denara streaking across the 18 yard-box, but the junior midfielder fired high.
Pinheiro re-entered the game to start the second half, and made quick work on the offensive end. The freshman UAlbany leader in scoring dinged the far-side post on a shot from 12 yards out on the left side.
Keith Traut took a pass from Pinheiro outside the 18 and forced the Syracuse keeper out of bounds on the cross. The ensuing corner produced a shot on goal for McGarr.
But Pinheiro would not be stopped, as he found a hole in the Syracuse defense from fellow Brazilian Leo Melgar. The forward charged forward to take on Orange keeper Alex Bono 1-on-1, and buried the shot near post. The score was just the second goal allowed all season by the Orange.
On the Syracuse counterattack, the Orange had an open look across the 12-yard line, but Mattos slid over for the tackle.
A UAlbany foul shortly after put a set piece 20 yards from goal, but Melgar slid through to thwart a Syracuse shot attempt.
With the Great Danes continuing to win the 50-50 balls in the midfield, Syracuse pushed forward to goal. Allen came off his line to keep the Orange out of scoring position.
Syracuse had an opportunity on a give-and-go in the 75th minute, but Martin Gorrie ran back on defense for the slide-tackle to break up the chance.
Five minutes later, Syracuse came down the field on a set piece to take the 2-1 win. Allen concluded the game with seven saves to his credit.
“I thought after the first 30 minutes we really took the game to them,” said co-captain Tim Allen. “Despite giving up two goals it was a good performance against a quality team.”
The Great Danes became the second team all season to score on the top-ranked defense in the nation. The Purple & Gold also found the back of the net in the Syracuse series for the first time since 2007.
UAlbany (3-4-5) hits the road for conference play this Saturday, when the squad faces UMass Lowell (3-8, 0-1 AE) at 1:00 p.m.
