Freshman Danielle Jordan put Syracuse’s women’s soccer team on the scoreboard for the first time all season, but the Orange was not celebrating after a 1-1 tie at Binghamton’s West Gym Field.

After taking its first lead of the season, Syracuse could not hold off Binghamton in the final minutes of regulation.

The Bearcats made a long throw in into the penalty box with just more than two minutes left in the game. The ball was knocked around until Binghamton forward Kim Povill blasted a shot from 30 yards out to the top left corner of the goal.

The Orange had a few more chances at the end of the second overtime to pull out the win, but could not find the back of the net. Freshman Tessa MacDougal fired a shot at the goal that Binghamton keeper Kristie Bowers stopped for the save of the game to preserve the tie.

SU head coach Pat Farmer said the Orange was not satisfied to come away from Binghamton with a draw.

‘It certainly felt more like a loss than a win,’ Farmer said. ‘I think they have it just right because they are disappointed they didn’t win.’

The bright spot for the Orange came with 11 seconds left in the first half when Samantha Hawn’s cross found Jordan eight yards away from the net. The freshman did not miss from point blank range and scored the first goal of her career.

The tally ended a 314 minute, 49 second scoreless streak for SU to start the season and gave the Orange momentum heading into the locker room.

‘I guess that was nice,’ Farmer said. ‘That it took us four games to score wasn’t that nice.’

Jordan’s goal was a result of a more aggressive attack for Syracuse. The Orange entered the game with a total of 11 shots in its first three games of the season. SU tallied 23 shots Wednesday against the Bearcats. Syracuse also put pressure on Binghamton by earning corners and pinning them deep in their defensive end for much of the game.

The offensive success may be an important step for the Orange because the team has relied solely on its defense for the past two seasons.

‘It was a reflection of penetration,’ Farmer said of the offense. ‘It helped them feel confident that we were playing better. It was emotionally good for us.’

Binghamton rallied behind the superb play of its goaltender to hold off the Orange’s relentless attack. Bowers recorded 14 saves, including several at the end of regulation and the second overtime.

Binghamton native Molly McManus returned home and nearly became the hero in the final minutes. McManus fired a shot on goal with less than five minutes left in regulation that would have put the game out of reach but she could not put it away.

The Orange will travel to Champaign, Ill., to play in the Illinois Tournament this weekend. SU will play two games at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Friday and Sunday.

The first will be against No. 13 Illinois on its home field. Like SU, the Fighting Illini are trying to rebound from a slow start to their season. Illinois will be the third top 25 team the Orange has faced in five games this season.

In the final contest, Syracuse will take on Portland State. The Vikings, like the Orange, come into the weekend with a 0-3-1 record.

Farmer said he would be very happy if Syracuse won one of the two games in Illinois because it will face two talented opponents.

‘Realistically what you are looking for is a good result against Portland State,’ Farmer said. ‘But you can’t look ahead because Illinois is capable of crushing teams.’

Published on September 6, 2006 at 12:00 pm