The Syracuse Orange (4-2-1) found themselves down in the nineteenth minute after controlling the entire pace of the game, but were able to rally for a 3-1 victory over the visiting Binghamton Bearcats (5-3). The finishing came around for the Orange after a frustrating sequence of control and quality play that resulted in a 0-1 deficit.
The Bearcats absorbed pressure for the first eighteen minutes, primarily down the right flank via Korab Syla's pace resulting in either the ball being squared for an attempt or a cross being sent in from the wing. Binghamton took advantage of the pressure forward and hit hard on the counter, with Pascal Trappe finishing off a cross into the box for the opening score.
Syracuse came back hard and equalized in the 32nd minute off of a well placed Julian Buescher set piece. The looping back post ball was placed perfectly for Miles Robinson's finishing header to tie the game at one. Robinson's header was his second score in two games, both off set pieces as he finished a corner off in the match against Wake Forest. Through the remainder of the half, the Orange controlled the ball and put pressure on to no avail and went into the break tied at one.
The second half was all Orange as Buescher had his way in the center of the park and Syla utilized his pace on the wing to run rampant. However until the 71st minute, the score remained deadlocked at one a piece. While Liam Callahan pressed the left flank and cut inside well, often playing much more direct than Syla, most of the action was directed down the right side of the pitch.
Though this was the case, all three goals were created off switches from the left. Buescher's set piece to Robinson, the corner that started the scuffle leading to Kamal Miller's game winner (his first career goal) and Noah Rhyhart's capstone off a feed from Ben Polk all originated on the left side of the field. Possibly a function of Binghamton's over-commitment to the attempt of cutting the right side off, it worked out well for the Orange.
Freshman keeper Austin Aviza recorded two saves and let one past on the nice one time goal. He did however show a bit more of an air of confidence and control of his box than I've seen this year. Overall a nice game for him to grow his confidence and learn to marshall that defense against a team looking to play hard on the counter and play some Route 1 soccer.
The Orange, head into the meat of their schedule starting this Friday against Pittsburgh. The game is 7pm up at the Syracuse Soccer Stadium.
Catching Up On Previous Games:
A beautiful one-two for a goal from Oyvind Alseth and a strong defensive shift was enough to hold a for a 1-1 draw, as the Syracuse Orange took on the #23 Louisville Cardinals in their ACC home opener. The Orange also took a loss away against Wake Forest in a 3-1 effort, Syracuse in a classic case of "scored too soon."