Orange Claims CNY Classic With Comeback Win

September 6, 2015

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Chris Nanco (Brampton, Ontario) found the back of the net with six minutes remaining in regulation to give the rv Syracuse men’s soccer team a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Rutgers at the SU Soccer Stadium. A crowd of 2,193, the third-largest in SU Soccer Stadium history, watched the Orange claim its second straight Central New York Classic title.

Rutgers (2-1) took an early lead when it found the back of the net in the second minute. Mitch Lurie’s shot from the right side bounced off the far post to Brian Hawkins, who put his shot in the back of the net. That would be the Scarlet Knights’ last shot of the first half and its only shot on goal all game. The Orange (3-1) dominated the remainder of the half, as it generated eight shots and five corner kicks, but couldn’t take advantage of its opportunities.

Syracuse had possession to start the second half and took advantage of it when sophomore Julien Buescher (Duelmen, Germany) scored on shot to the left corner of the net on an assist from Nanco. The Orange continued to send numbers forward and Buescher and Nanco nearly connected again, but Buescher’s shot went high in the 48th minute. The two were at it again in the 49th minute, this time including junior Ben Polk (Herkimer, N.Y.) on the play, but Scarlet Knights’ goalkeeper David Greczek made the save on Polk’s shot to keep the game tied.

The Orange controlled the second half and continued to test Greczek, who made six saves after intermission. Syracuse broke through for the go-ahead goal with six minutes remaining. Senior Korab Syla (Yonkers, N.Y.) won the ball in the midfield and got the ball to Nanco, who fired his shot into the back of the net for his third career game-winner.

“I thought in the first half we created some chances,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said. “We talk about how goals are often scored in the first five minutes of each half or before the end of the half. Both teams showed that tonight. We caught them straight away (in the second half). What I was really proud of was that we just kept going. We have some tired bodies but I’m sure they’ll feel better knowing they found a way to get a win tonight.”

The Orange recorded a season-high 20 shots, 11 of which were on frame, and earned 12 corner kicks. Rutgers finished with just four shots and didn’t have a corner kick all game. Greczek finished with eight saves.

Syla was named the tournament’s Offensive MVP after recording four points in the two contests, and freshman Miles Robinson (Arlington, Mass.) earned the Defensive MVP award. They were joined on the All-Tournament Team by Buescher and senior Juuso Pasanen (Kuopio, Finland).

Syracuse goes for its fourth straight win when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play on Friday, Sept. 11 against No. 15 Louisville at the SU Soccer Stadium. Admission is free of charge.

AGATE
1st 2nd Final

Rutgers 1 0 1
Syracuse 0 2 2

Scoring:
1:05        RU                 Brian Hawkins (Mitch Lurie)
45:33     SU                  Julian Buescher (Chris Nanco)
84:00     SU                  Chris Nanco (Korab Syla)

Shots: Syracuse 20, Rutgers 4
Corner Kicks: Syracuse 12, Rutgers 0
Saves: Syracuse 0 (Austin Aviza), Rutgers 9 (David Greczek)

Attendance: 2,193

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