The Gauntlet Begins: Six Games in Two Weeks for Syracuse Men’s Soccer
By Josh Richardson | @joshrichy_04
The season for Syracuse Men’s Soccer isn’t off to the prolific start we may be accustomed to after the last few seasons. Since Head Coach Ian McIntyre took over the reins of the program 10 years ago, the ‘Cuse has been a force to be reckoned with in both the ACC and NCAA. Multiple conference championships and one national from two years ago have made SU appear to be a top team each season across the country. This year, however, has not exactly lived up to the expectations. The Orange sit 2-2-2 through its first six matches of the season, and 0-1-1 in the ACC. Now, the toughest part of the season is upon SU, games every four days, with two matches per week. Let’s look ahead at how Syracuse will fare against some tough opponents.
Sept. 17th – Canisius
SU gets one of its last non-conference foes tomorrow when it faces the Griffs. The SUNY school sits 2-3-1 on the season with wins against Central Connecticut and VMI. Both the Orange and the Griffs have lost by one goal to LeMoyne. For Syracuse, it was one of, if not the most stunning upset of the college soccer season. This is a match SU SHOULD win handily, but it’s hard to trust the Orange when they haven’t performed to the best of their ability yet this year.
Prediction: 2-1 SU FINAL
Sept. 20th – Louisville
The third conference match of the season is against a feisty Cardinals team. The only road match in ACC play was against Boston College, which ended in a 1-1 draw. It seems that the Orange will be in for a similar fate this time around. Syracuse will score early and often but it will have to wait for its first conference win of the season.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Sept. 24th – Cornell
On paper, it can be easy to think “Ehhhh it’s Cornell, Syracuse beats those nerds in every sport.” Well, you’d be wrong. In 2022 en route to a national championship, the Big Red were one of the only losses for the Orange all season. The Ivy soccer programs have always been hovering around the best in the country, and this could easily be another trap game for SU that ends in difficulties finding the back of the net.
Prediction: 1-0 Cornell
Sept. 27th – Wake Forest
Book it. It won’t be a fun night at SU Soccer Stadium for the Orange faithful. The Demon Deacons are one of the premier teams in the ACC and all of college soccer. It’s hard to emphasize the advantage Wake will have against a Syracuse team that already has trouble scoring. It was seen primarily against Virginia Tech. The Hokies scored twice in a 90-second span in the second half to pull away from the Orange. This could happen again in the blink of an eye if the ‘Cuse aren’t careful.
Prediction – 3-0 Wake Forest
It’s tough to trust a team that has had trouble producing goals. If Syracuse was losing matches 3-2 or 4-3 it could make me feel better with it having a chance to turn it around. But until the Orange have better luck scoring, who knows the ceiling or the floor of SU at this point in the season? The next two weeks are crucial to determine the success and momentum of Syracuse and its season, and it starts tomorrow night at 7 with Military Appreciation Night at SU Soccer Stadium against Canisius.
