Shield stops spear, 3-1

Story by Thomas Zhou
Photos by Jiayang Zhang

Syracuse, N.Y-

Before the game, Syracuse men’s soccer had allowed the fewest goals (2) in ACC play and its conference rival, Wake Forest, had scored the most (24).  In the SU Soccer Stadium on Friday night, the shield defeated the spear in a spear’s way as the SU defense not only stopped Wake but provided most of the Orange scoring. Orange defenders Jordan Murrell and Tyler Hilliard, connected twice helping SU (11-1-0) to a 3-1 victory over the Demon Deacons(6-6-0).

Wake Forest registered two shots within the first three minutes, a header that went over the bar and a shot off the post. In the fifth minute, Syracuse fired back but forward Chris Nanco’s blast was punched away by Wake Forest goalie Alec Ferrell and Nanco’s rebound shot went off target.

Orange strike first

The Orange took the lead in the ninth minute with a free kick. Hilliard scored with a header in the box on an assist from Murrell. It was the redshirt junior’s first goal in two years.

In the 25th minute, Liam Callahan was injured while striving for the ball and the midfielder was substituted for by Korab Syla. Head coach Ian McIntyre said after the game that they were going to reevaluate the injury tomorrow.

Both teams created opportunities but the score remained unchanged in the first half.

Hilliard defending in the game

Entering the second half, the Orange only used two minutes to change the score. Murrell and Hilliard connected again. The second goal was almost the same as the first: Hilliard’s header from Jordan’s free kick.

“If I can get one goal in the season, I am happy,” Hilliard said after the game. “Two in one night, really beyond my widest dreams.”

The Orange was thrilled, but was not satisfied. It continued to threaten the Demon Deacons afterward. Forward Emil Ekblom’s shot in the box was saved by Ferrell. Murrell’s blast was also rejected by the goalie. After receiving a short pass from Emil, Nanco unleashed a curving shot in the box, which went wide of the net. 

Nanco celebrating his goal. 

The effort paid off in the 70th minute. This time, it was the chemistry between two forwards. Nanco managed to reach the service from Emile and scored in the box between two Demon Deacons defenders, 3-0. Nanco’s third goal of the season broke his goal drought of more than one month. 

“He was outstanding tonight,” McIntyre said. “He started the game very quickly. He really caused them a threat with his pace behind. I think it was a great combination between the two.”

Just short of s shutout

The only blemish for the Orange was that it failed to keep a clean sheet.

Wake Forest scored within four minutes of the end. Forward Hank Gauger beat Syracuse goalie Alex Bono on an assist by Michael Gamer, who leads the ACC in both  goals(6) and assists(7).

“We let in a goal in the last two minutes, which was poor on our behalf,” Murrell said. “...We were not focused the whole night. We were focused for 87 and that was no good for 90 minutes. ”

Still, a win is a win and Murrell said the players were happy about the result.The Orange outshot its opponent 13-8. Ferrell made seven saves for Wake Forest.

Rather than celebrating on the field after his goals, Hilliard ran to the bench to celebrate with his teammates. McIntyre says that's something that makes the team special.

“The great thing about this group of the players is when they score they want to celebrate with the guys on the bench,” McIntyre said. “You know when you have got a group of good guys when the guys on the bench are as excited as the players scoring.”