The Orange lost again at home behind two goals in two minutes in the second half
The Syracuse Orange men’s soccer failed to score and lost 2-0 against #17 Virginia Tech on Friday evening at the SU Soccer Stadium. For SU Athletics’ marquee home matchup of this weekend, over 1,700 fans showed up to cheer on the Orange against a strong Hokies team, but went home empty handed as the Orange looked dull against their ACC rivals
Coming off of a three-match winless streak, the Orange were in need of some momentum, but couldn’t find a way to break through a tough and physical VT defense.
The Hokie’s had not played an ACC matchup so far this season, with their 2-2 draw against Kentucky coming in their only match against a top-ranked opponent so far. With 13 goals in their five games going into this match, the Hokies boast a strong attack headlined by Ethan Hackenberg who scored three in their first five games.
The Hokies came out guns blazing with extending periods in threatening positions in the Orange half for the opening phases of the game. The Orange had some occasional chances to break away into the VT half, but struggled to possess the ball against a large and physically imposing team.
“I think I got some things wrong” conceded SU Head Coach Ian McIntyre after the game. “They were very, very effective […] we have to give credit to a really well coached, good Virginia Tech team.”
With their extended periods of pressure, VT enjoyed a flurry of corner kicks in the early period which all posed a threat to Tomas Hut’s goal. Despite these challenges, Hut stood tall, providing multiple saves to keep the game level. With nine corners in the first half, most of which were expertly delivered, the Orange were under pressure from the get-go.
This reassurance in goal from Hut provided the platform for the Orange to slowly inch their way back into the game. Sam Layton at center-back was probably the Orange’s outstanding player of the game as he was absolutely dominant in the air, making multiple crucial tackles on the ground and through aerial battles to keep the Hokies far away from the SU goal.
“I think he’s been dominant in the air all season,” said McIntyre after the game. “[Virginia Tech] really put pressure on him, [but] I thought Sam was awesome.”
Layton’s distribution was also a key factor in the Orange’s buildup as they worked their way into game. As time ticked on, the VT side began to tire and their constant pressure began to subside. This allowed the Orange more time on the ball where they generated some dangerous chances.
“It’s just what you have to do as a center-back. Sometimes you have to go and win those” said Layton after the game. A former midfielder, Layton has had to adjust to marshalling a back three, but has looked more comfortable and composed as the season has gone on.
The game adopted a more sloppy and chaotic nature once the Tech press broke down, which benefitted the Orange, giving them more counter attacking chances to run though on goal past the solid Tech defense.
The best of the Orange’s chances in the first half came from a Ernest Bawa cross that was headed just wide by Ezra Widman with ten minutes left in the half. Despite chances for both sides, VT was probably the best team in the first half, but it ended even to go into the break.
The second half started with the same frenetic pace as the end of the first half, going end to end with both teams struggling to link together extended passes and periods of possession. Coach McIntyre named a lineup that we haven’t seen often this season with Bawa and Carlos Zambrano up top with Widman, Kelvin Da Costa, and Kristjan Fortier in midfield.
This mesh of players gave the Orange more dynamic attacking options in and around the box, but they still struggled to link passes in the midfield and enjoy extended periods of possession.
“We did go a little bit younger and newer, and I thought we started the second half very well for the first five, six, seven minutes, but then they grew into it” said McIntyre.
Amidst the chaos in these opening phases, a scramble right in front of the 18-yard box resulted in a free-kick for Virginia Tech which was beautifully dispatched by freshman Alex Perez to give the Hokies a 1-0 lead.
Immediately following the goal, the frenetic pace picked right back up with Orange throwing bodies forward in an attempt.
With this riskier attitude, Virginia Tech was able to get out on the break again right away and scored a beautiful goal with Marcos Escoe placing a beautiful, low cross with was converted by Malick Thiaw
The Orange attempted to push the pace and press higher for the remainder of the match, creating a few great chances, but were unable to break through and secure the goal to cut down the deficit.
As McIntyre mentioned, the Orange’s setup on the day was not as effective as they would have liked, and they were unable to link together passages of possession thanks to an effective Hokies press. Despite an equal amount of shots for both sides, the Hokies were more dangerous on the day, and McIntyre ceded that they were “the better team today.”
Following this captivating matchup, the Orange will lie in wait at home for New York rivals Canisius to visit the SU Soccer Stadium on the evening of September 17. The Griffins are 2 and 3 on the season, and the Orange should be expecting a win, but that hasn’t always worked out well this season. For updates on that matchup and more on Syracuse soccer, stay tuned here at Nunes Magician.