Syracuse men’s soccer: Orange beat #3 Pitt 2-0 for best result of the season

An early goal from Kristjan Fortier helped guide the Orange to a convincing win

The Syracuse Orange men’s soccer team (7-3-3 (2-4-2)) concluded their regular season with surprise 2-0 upset over #3 Pitt on Friday night at the SU Soccer Stadium. In an evening meant for the celebration of Senior Night, Head Coach Ian McIntyre praised his players for “leaving it all out on the pitch” as they held their own against top-three Pitt team.

The Orange came into the match struggling for confidence after shipping nine goals in their last two matches as they lost at Virginia (3-0) and Clemson (6-1). This result clearly meant something the team who were all smiles after the final whistle, celebrating what will likely be the final home match for the seniors against a side Coach McIntyre described as good enough to win the National Championship

Pitt came into the matchup in great form with two ACC wins on the bounce. Having been ranked #1 in the nation for an extended period this year, Pitt boasts a very formidable side, and their players knew that a win or draw on the evening would guarantee them an ACC Regular Season Championship. The Panthers will also enter postseason play as one of the favorites to win both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

The Panthers boast a top-10 attack in the country and a top-5 defense on a goals-scored and conceded basis, making them clearly one of the best in the nation. Guilherme Feitosa is one of the best creative players in the country this year, with nine assists. A defensive line headed by minutes leader Jackson Gilman also represents one of the best units in the country.

The match started with Pitt in the driving seat, playing an aggressive and progressive style that often saw them on the front foot. Despite controlling the early tempo, only five minutes in, an SU counterattack released Ben Rosenblatt into space who lifted a high ball into the danger area. The header out from the Pitt defender dropped straight to Kristjan Fortier on the edge of the box.

The freshman, who already scored SU’s best goal this season against Charlotte, lasered the ball with a low-driven shot, using the perfect technique as it arrowed into the bottom corner.

Fortier was one of three freshmen to start on senior night alongside Chimere Omeze and Braedon Smith. After the match, McIntyre praised his young players for showing that “they are more than capable of playing at this level.”

With Pitt fighting for their ACC title, the early goal served as a real wake-up, and the team began pushing bodies forward with high intensity. This front-foot mentality meant that more gaps were open in behind the Panther’s defense, which SU was able to capitalize on.

Although Pitt dominated possession through this period, in the 22nd minute, another chance came for the Orange to break in behind, with Daniel Burko hitting the inside of the post.

Immediately, Pitt was able to take the ball down to the other end of the pitch, where Tomas Hut was really called into action for the first time on the day, making a brilliant save.

Just two minutes later, Hut was called into action again, making another brilliant save from close range to keep his team in the lead. In all, Hut enjoyed one of his best halves of the season with five saves in the first half, serving a crucial role in keeping his team in front.

Towards the end of the half, Pitt upped the pressure further, earning a few free-kicks in dangerous situations that challenged the Cuse defense who were bent but refused to break behind loud and vocal support from the home crowd.

The team also did an excellent job of limiting Pitt’s attacking outlets with Elton Chifamba marking Feitosa out of the game, and the SU defense doing an excellent job shutting down top scorer Luis Sahmkow. Although Pitt generated more overall chances, the Orange were able to hold them off with a 1-0 lead going into half.

Despite the heightening pressure throughout the match, McIntyre said that his favorite part of the game was that “we defended like real warriors.”

At the start of the second half, it was clear that Pitt was ready to press even higher up the field. When in possession in the offensive half, all ten of Pitt’s outfield players would be in SU’s half, really dialing up the pressure.

Despite a few nervy moments, the Orange defense still managed to hold strong, even finding a few chances on net. In the 70th minute, the Orange found themselves in the attacking third again with a corner kick.

The low driven ball snuck through a string of bodies and arrived to Chimere Omeze at the back post. Omeze’s attempt on goal was deflected, ending up perfectly at the feet of Nate Scott who smashed the ball home.

With a commanding 2-0 lead in the game, Pitt threw everything they can at the game, but were unable to break through the Cuse defense. The fans were in full voice of their support through the closing minutes as the seniors were able to end their home campaign with smiles on their faces.

After the match, captain Sam Layton commented on holding a clean sheet against a top-10 offense. “It’s massive. It feels massive. It’s a credit to everyone on the field […] everyone did brilliant today.”

Layton added that “we can take this confidence into the ACC Tournament, and I am confident in our team […] I feel like we can go all the way.”

Following this difficult result, the Orange will prepare for the first round of the ACC Tournament, where they are set to play at Wake Forest. Although NCAA Tournament qualification on a merit basis is out of the realm of possibility, a Cinderella run to the ACC Championship would give SU a bid to the dance. For updates on the ACC Tournament campaign and all things SU Soccer, stay tuned at Nunes Magician.