ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Orange scored three times in the second half and the SU men’s soccer team (4-1-0) used solid defense to defeat NJIT, 4-0, on Friday, Sept. 7 to begin Mayor’s Cup competition at Elmore Field. With the win, Syracuse registered its fourth victory of the 2012 campaign, the most wins recorded by an Orange side since 2008.

“It was a terrific result against a good NJIT team,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said. “We had an outstanding team performance, and that first goal really allowed us to carry the momentum into the second half.”

The match remained scoreless throughout the majority of the first half, until the 40th minute when senior Ted Cribley (Sheffield, England) lined up for SU’s third corner kick opportunity of the opening period. Cribley’s attempt was deflected, but Jordan Murrell (Markham, Ontario) corralled it and blasted a shot to the top corner of the net to give the Orange the lead heading into halftime.

Syracuse continued to apply pressure throughout the second period. The Orange finished with a 14-4 shot advantage, including an 12-1 edge in corner kicks.

The Orange increased its advantage in the 63rd minute when Murrell’s corner kick found the head of Skylar Thomas (Pickering, Ontario), who pushed it past NJIT goalkeeper Lars Maalen-Johansen. SU added another in the 81st minute when junior Tony Asante (Bronx, N.Y.) took a pass from senior Louis Clark (Brighton, England), spun inside the box and fired it low past Maalen-Johansen.

Sophomore Nick Perea (Hollywood, Fla.) notched the Orange’s final tally in the 83rd minute when he launched a shot from the top of the box after an NJIT (2-3-0) clearance.

Freshman goalie Alex Bono (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) recorded his third shutout of the season on three saves.

The Orange is back in action when it concludes Mayor’s Cup play against St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Elmore Field. Game time is set for 12 p.m.

Match Notes: The last time an Orange side recorded more than three wins was 2008, when SU finished 8-6-3 … Former Hartwick standout McIntyre improved his Elmore Field record to 71-17-12 (0.720) … The Orange is 2-0 on the road following Friday’s victory, as SU defeated Binghamton, 1-0, in Vestal, N.Y. on Aug. 28 … After SU’s 6-0 victory against Colgate on Sept. 3, the 10 goals scored in back-to-back games is the most goals scored in consecutive matches since 1989 … In that season, the Orange scored 11 goals in consecutive games against Oneonta, 2-0, and Niagara, 9-0 …   Murrell’s three points on one goal and one assist is a career high … Thomas’ goal was his third career tally … Asante continued his impressive start, recording his fourth goal of the season … Perea’s goal was his first of the season and second of his career.

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