Recapping Men's Conference Championships

by Tom Hindle

November 14, 2022

Championship weekend across men’s soccer brought the usual slate of thrillers, blowouts and tense contests. Some games were settled easily, with favored sides going about their business comfortably. Others were far testier, with penalties required to settle finals deadlocked after extra time. Here’s a brief look at some of the highlights.

Syracuse Uses First Half Double to Beat Clemson, 2-0

Ousmane Sylla threw his hands up in frustration and turned to a teammate in anguish. A 30 yard pass had just been hit behind the Clemson star as he streaked towards the goal — the ball careening straight out of bounds. That stray stroke encapsulated a frustrating afternoon for Clemson, one in which it was beaten by a more ruthless Syracuse team.

In a tight championship contest — where mistakes have to be limited — the Orange simply made fewer of them. Here was an efficient side, one that only allowed four shots on goal. They scored twice in the first half, a duo of tidy close range finishes. And while they looked a threat going forward for the remainder of proceedings, it was their defensive quality that stood out. While there is a long way to go — and the potential of some unfavorable tournament matchups — Sunday showed that Syracuse might just have what it takes to play in December.

The Orange strike first. 🍊🏆

1⃣ - 0⃣, @CuseMSOC! pic.twitter.com/tZd6ryJppI
— The ACC (@theACC) November 13, 2022

Rutgers Powers Past Indiana In The Second Half, 3-1

There were tears for Rutgers at the end of things. Freshman Ian Abbey, the scorer of the Scarlet Knights’ third goal, struggled to keep his eyes dry as his teammates celebrated around him. And with good reason. It has been a strange campaign for Rutgers, one marred by inconsistency. But at the end of it all, they had a trophy in their hands, thanks to a 3-1 win over Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament championship.

Their successful day started early. Matthew Acosta got Rutgers on the board in the fourth minute, curling the ball in from just inside the box. Indiana pulled one back beore half time, with Patrick McDonald creeping in at the far post to nod home. But Rutgers found an extra level in the second half, scoring twice to win its first ever Big Ten title. And then, the tears of joy began.

54' | OLIMPICO GOAL FROM MAELAND 😱

Ola Maeland puts the Scarlet Knights back in front with a goal off the corner kick attempt!

📺 https://t.co/O4WwulLOBN (@BigTenNetwork)
📊 https://t.co/TI6g1NDgID #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/BftZZ1j67T
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) November 13, 2022

Clinical Creighton Shuts Out Georgetown, 3-0

Duncan McGuire really shouldn’t have won the ball. It came floating down the line, teased over the head of a Georgetown full back. But McGuire read its flight, taking the pass in stride as two defenders shifted across. His move was a quick one — a shimmy onto his right foot, followed by an instinctive swing on the leg, one that sent the ball into the back of the net. His strike was the second of three Creighton goals on the night, offense enough to deposit presumptive favorites Georgetown, 3-0.

This Big East tournament championship was a surprisingly open game. The two teams combined for 28 shots, with both keepers forced into multiple saves. But Creighton simply made the most of its looks, scoring off a corner, long ball and slick counter attack. The win was, in truth, more important for the Bluejays; Creighton needed it to make the NCAA Tournament. Still, Georgetown and its young squad would have taken silverware to heart — especially with a few years of soccer to come for this core. Either way, these teams might just meet again. That game would certainly be one to watch.

A quick look at all three goals pic.twitter.com/cSjjAMrybe
— Creighton Men’s Soccer (@creightonmsoc) November 13, 2022

Elsewhere:

Kentucky scored either side of half time to put away James Madison in the Sun Belt Championship. The Dukes put in a solid defensive shift, but didn’t have enough attacking quality to truly trouble the Wildcats. Kentucky’s Eythor Bjorgolfsson was sent off in the second half, though, and will miss at least one NCAA Tournament game.
Lipscomb blew by Central Arkansas in the ASUN championship, winning 6-2 to clinch its second title in a row.
UNCG(m) continued its hot streak, but was made to work in the Southern Conference championship. Mercer grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute, before UNCG struck back 10 minutes later. The winner came in the 83rd, with Ismail El Harchi nodding in off a rebound.
FIU(m) grabbed two goals in the first half to see off South Florida in the AAC championship. The Bulls only tallied one shot on target.
Loyola Chicago(m) and St. Louis played a tight match before the Billikens won on penalties. It wasn’t an offensive showcase — the teams combined for three shots on goal.

Other scores:

New Hampshire 2-0 Albany
Missouri State 1-0 Evansville
Fairleigh Dickinson 2-1 St. Francis Brooklyn
Quinnipiac 3-2 Iona(m)
Hofstra 2-1 Elon
Denver 3-0 UMKC(m)
Navy 1-0 American
High Point 2-0 Campbell
UC Riverside 1-0 UC Santa Barbara