Syracuse Men's Soccer Team Ends Regular Season Play with a Double Overtime Victory over Boston College

Story by Julia Morris

Photos by Jiayang Zhang

Syracuse, N.Y. - On Senior Night at the Syracuse University soccer stadium, Friday, it seemed only fitting that senior and team captain Skylar Thomas scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to give the Orange (14-2-1) a 2-1 victory over the Boston College Eagles (5-8-3).

Thomas scored in the 102^nd minute of play following an Orange free kick.  Sophomore Alex Halis received the kick in the box and directed a shot toward the net that was blocked by BC goalkeeper Alex Kapp.  However, Thomas followed up with the rebound and slid the ball into the lower right corner of the goal, giving the Orange the win and causing fans to jump out of their seats in celebration.

“I can’t remember much but the ball was crossed in, I think it came down on my foot and I just hit it and it went in,” Thomas said.  “It was an excellent night, I couldn’t ask for much more.”

While the Orange had the last goal of the game, it did not get on the board first.  The Eagles scored in the 10^th minute of the game when Diego Medina-Mendez directed a shot toward the net from the left side of the field.  The quick strike found its way into the lower right corner of the goal and put BC ahead 1-0.  

“He whips the ball in the box and the tough thing is the guy got free and if you give a touch on that I have to try and stand my ground but he missed it and it scored toward the back post,” Syracuse goalkeeper Alex Bono said.

Medina-Mendez’s goal for the Eagles also meant the Orange was trailing in a game for the first time since its matchup against Notre Dame on September 13. 
 

Syracuse quickly responded to even the score.  In the 28^th minute of the game, sophomore Oyvind Alseth was weaving in and out of defenders inside the box when he got tripped up by BC defenders.  A foul was called, one of twelve for the Eagles, and set up a penalty kick opportunity for the Orange.  Senior and team captain Nick Perea took the kick and sent the ball into the left center of the net right past Kapp, who dove to his right.   The goal was Perea’s fourth of the season and the tenth of his career.  
 

“Just calm and pick a side,” Perea said as he described what was going on in his mind before the shot. “And then just hit it as hard as I can and hope the keeper doesn’t get it.”

Head Coach Ian McIntyre praised Perea’s overall efforts after the game but also pointed out that senior night can be an emotional one for players as well.  

“(He) covers every single blade of grass and was emotionally and physically drained at the end of the game,” McIntyre said. “Sometimes these senior nights can be tough on your team because there’s a lot of swirling emotions off the field you can’t control.”

There were no goals in the second half but Syracuse applied significant pressure on the offensive end, firing seven shots.  The Orange's strong offensive attack was met with an equally aggressive defensive effort.  Led by Thomas, who could be heard shouting “Focus, boys, focus!”, the Orange held the Eagles to only two shots in the half.

The shot trend differential continued into the first overtime as the Orange had several big chances to score.  With four minutes remaining in the overtime period, Korab Syla sent a shot that sailed just over the top of the net. Then with 35 seconds left, Chris Nanco fired a shot that sailed just over the top right post.

In the second overtime, the Eagles had a chance to end the game in the 101^st minute when Junior Dylan Pritchard had a wide open net but he steered the ball just inches too far right to score.  Thomas’ game-winning goal came just one minute later.  It was his third goal of the season and second game-winning goal this year.

Thomas and eight other seniors on the team were recognized before the game.  After the win, McIntyre reflected on the role those seniors have played both on and off the field for the Orange.

“I refer to them as the cultural architects of our program,” McIntyre said.  “They set the standard, they lead by example and as they mature they become more vocal leaders as well.  It’s great from a coaching perspective to see these seniors create their own memories.  But what I did say to the group is October memories are wonderful but there’s nothing better than creating November memories.”

The Orange will look to create those November memories when ACC tournament play begins.  Tonight’s victory means Syracuse will have a top spot in the tournament, which will take place on November 5th, 9th, 14th and 16th.  The official tournament bracket will be announced after all remaining regular season games are played this weekend. 

Skylar Thomas Postgame Interview 

Coach McIntyre on Thomas' Game-Winning Goal  

Coach McIntyre "Game Felt Like a National Tournament Game"