Syracuse Takes Step Back Against Clemson
By Luke McGrath
CitrusTV Men’s Soccer Reporter
CLEMSON, S.C. – The SU Men’s Soccer Team (7-5-3, 1-4-2 Atlantic Coast) entered Tuesday nights contest at No. 20 in the most recent Unites Soccer Coaches poll and unbeaten in their last six games. That streak ended on Tuesday when Clemson (6-8-1, 1-6 Atlantic Coast) defeated Syracuse 3-2 in the Orange’s final road game of the regular season.
The Tigers got off to a hot start in what would end up being their first conference win of the season with a penalty kick goal in the 14th minute courtesy of Tanner Dieterich. Clemson would extend its lead to two in the 34th minute when Robbie Robinson converted a low bullet of a shot on a free kick from just outside the box.
Although ultimately falling short, SU played a much better second half and got on the scoreboard in the 53rd minute with a corner kick goal for the third straight game. Hugo Delhommelle, who had found Sondre Norheim for a goal in two straight matches, mixed it up finding graduate Len Zeugner for the score.
In the 80th minute, the Orange let up a deflating goal on Clemson’s only shot of the second half when Adrian Nuñez netted his sixth tally of the season.
Although things looked grim for Syracuse, the team responded promptly with a 82nd minute goal to bring the deficit back to one when Massimo Ferrin buried one into the roof of the net after getting a pass from Ryan Raposo. Ferrin now has four goals on the season.
In the final minutes that followed, the Orange maintained their strong second half offensive attack, including a free kick and a corner kick with under a minute to play in the game. The attacking pressure wasn’t enough and Syracuse was ultimately unable to equalize.
“We haven’t had many bad nights this year. We had a poor, sloppy first half tonight that cost us dearly. A very good response after halftime but we just ran out of time. We will own this performance,” Head Coach Ian McIntyre said in a postgame tweet.
The Orange outshot the Tigers 13-5 on the night and 9-1 in the second half. SU also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Hendrik Hilpert did not record a save on the three shots on target he faced. Jonathan Hagman and Djimon Johnson picked up yellow cards.
Syracuse is back home Friday for Senior Night and their final regular season game of the year where they take on Boston College (4-7-3, 2-5 ACC), who is one point ahead of SU in the Atlantic Division of the ACC standings but coming into the game on a four game losing streak. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
@L_McGrath14 | Lumcgrat@syr.edu
