AMHERST, MASS. – Sophomores Jordan Murrell (Markham, Ontario) and Skylar Thomas (Pickerington, Ontario) scored a goal apiece and the Orange was dominant defensively as the SU men’s soccer team (8-2-0, 1-0-0 BIG EAST) wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 2-0 victory versus Massachusetts (3-4-2) on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Rudd Field. SU’s win total this season now matches its most wins in a season since 2008, when the Orange finished 8-6-3.

“I am very proud of the guys today,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said. “It’s good to get a win on the road with the clean sheet. As a team, we defended very well and scored two goals at important times.”

The Orange controlled the majority of the first half, as SU applied consistent offensive pressure. Syracuse registered six shots in the opening frame, including Murrell’s strike from outside of the box that found the back of the net in the 17th minute.

Sophomore Grant Chong (Brighton, Mich.) and freshman Stefanos Stamoulacatos (Camillus, N.Y.) had chances to increase the lead at the end of the first half, but UMass goalkeeper Brian Frame made two saves to keep the Minutemen within striking distance.

SU tallied an insurance goal in the 76th minute off of the foot of Thomas. Murrell sent a ball into the box, and Thomas’ first attempt was deflected by Frame. Thomas gathered the rebound, however, and fired it past the UMass goalie for his second goal of the season.

The Orange defense played tremendously as well, limiting the Minutemen to four shots and zero shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Alex Bono (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) recorded his sixth shutout of the season.

SU outshot Massachusetts, 16-4, and held a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks. For UMass, Frame recorded six saves.

Syracuse returns to BIG EAST action on Saturday, Sept. 29 when it travels to Cincinnati. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Gettler Stadium.

Match Notes: SU remains undefeated on the road, 2-0-0, while delivering UMass its first loss at home … The Orange recorded its eighth shutout of the season, which is tied for sixth most in program history … Syracuse has now won six out of its last seven matches … The Orange has outscored opponents 24-5 during the 2012 campaign … Murrell’s second goal of the season marks his career-high for goals in a season.

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