Miller's First Career Goal Leads Orange

September 22, 2015

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The rv/-- Syracuse men’s soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat Binghamton, 3-1, at the SU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Three different players scored for the Orange, including freshman Kamal Miller (Pickering, Ontario), whose first career goal stood as the game winner.

“We knew we would be tested today,” said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. “We needed to show the character and resilience at times, but also move the ball. Overall, I’m very happy. I thought it was a good performance. When we got balls into advanced areas, we looked very dangerous. I thought their goalkeeper was excellent tonight and we needed just a little bit more quality.”

Syracuse (4-2-1) controlled play early but it was Binghamton (5-3) that struck first when Pascal Trappe scored on a header on an assist from Logan Robert in the 18th minute. The Orange continued its aggressive play and recorded the equalizer in the 32nd minute. For the second consecutive match, sophomore Julian Buescher (Duelmen, Germany) and freshman Miles Robinson (Arlington, Mass.) connected on a set piece for a goal. Buescher served a free kick into the box where Robinson headed the ball into the back of the net for his second career goal. For Buescher, it was his team-leading fourth assist of the season.

Syracuse continued to dominate possession and pace of play after intermission. The Orange was the more dangerous team as it earned four corner kicks in the first 13 minutes of the second half, but couldn’t take advantage of its opportunities. Syracuse continued to press forward and tallied the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute. A Bearcats’ foul gave the Orange a free kick, which Buescher served into the box. The ball deflected off several players before Miller gained control and put his shot from three yards out past Binghamton goalkeeper Robert Moewes to give Syracuse a 2-1 advantage.

The Bearcats produced their best scoring chance of the second half in the 80th minute on a hard shot by Trappe Bing. Syracuse goalkeeper Austin Aviza (Medway, Mass.) made the stop but couldn’t control the ball. However, an Orange defender was there to knock the ball out of the box to end the threat. Syracuse extended its lead in the 84th minute. Junior Ben Polk (Herkimer, N.Y.) crossed the ball to a charging Noah Rhynhart (Albany, N.Y.), who found the back of the net for his second goal of the season and the 3-1 final.

The Orange outshot Binghamton, 17-4, including a 13-2 margin in the second half, and held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. Aviza recorded two saves, while Moewes had seven.

Syracuse returns to ACC play on Friday, Sept. 25 when it hosts Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. Admission is free.

GAME NOTES: With the win, Syracuse improved its non-conference record to 25-3-0 since 2012.

AGATE
                                1st          2nd        Final
Binghamton       1              0              1
Syracuse              1              2              3

Scoring:
18:01     BING     Pascal Trappe (Logan Robert)
31:02     SU          Miles Robinson (Julian Buescher)
70:51     SU          Kamal Miller
83:47     SU          Noah Rhynhart (Ben Polk)

Shots: Syracuse 17, Binghamton 4
Corner Kicks: Syracuse 8, Binghamton 0
Saves: Syracuse 2 (Austin Aviza), Binghamton 7 (Robert Moewes)

Attendance: 811

-- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: NEW YORK’S COLLEGE TEAM --