The scoreboard read 18 shots for Syracuse.

But sometimes, the scoreboard can be misleading.

Syracuse only had six shots on goal and opportunities were far and few between for the men’s soccer team as SU tied Monmouth, 0-0, in double overtime Thursday night at SU Soccer Stadium.

Monmouth’s defense prevented the Orange from creating scoring opportunities and getting the ball close to the goal for more high-percentage shots. It was the first time SU has failed to score all season.

‘They were really physical,’ said junior forward Hansen Woodruff. ‘We were passing it off in the first half, and it wasn’t as much movement of the ball. They were playing with more energy, but in the second half they started to get a little tired. Unfortunately, none of the shots were real quality ones.’

The key for Monmouth (1-1-1) was pressure. When Syracuse (3-0-2) would cross midfield with the ball, a swarm of Monmouth defenders would attack the SU defender. Clean looks were hard to come by, and some of Syracuse’s best chances were from corner kicks. Most shots by SU sailed wide, nowhere near the net, but still counted as shots.

SU head coach Dean Foti said Monmouth did a good job maintaining possession. He said the Hawks made sure the pressure led to the Orange keeping the ball on its side of the field, which obviously negates any scoring opportunities.

Monmouth’s style was particularly effective in the first half when SU only had two shots, neither of which was on goal. The two shots in the half were tied for SU’s lowest in any period this season.

‘I think early on they did a good job of keeping the ball,’ Foti said. ‘We were sloppy and lethargic coming out in the beginning and I think we had some tired legs from the weekend (the Mayor’s Cup). I didn’t think we did well with getting balls forward and getting balls behind them.’

The Orange had 12 shots in the second half, out-shooting Monmouth 12-1, but on most of the shots Hawks’ goalkeeper Bryan Meredith barely needed to move. It wasn’t until 15 minutes into the second half that SU registered its first shot on goal.

The key to the Orange’s second half push was better passing and management of the ball. Senior midfielder Isaac Collings said the Orange was able to get the ball to the outside better and hold the ball for better possessions, which gave the team more of a chance to score.

But again, the chances to score often sailed wide of the net or ended up straight at the goal. Collings lined up for a penalty kick with 22 minutes left, and the Monmouth defenders blocked his shot. With 17 minutes, Collings’ corner kick went off forward Tom Perevegyencev to Woodruff, but the junior kicked the ball over the goal, one of several similar shots for the junior.

‘I had probably five or six shots, and most of them were over the net or behind the goal,’ Woodruff said. ‘The other ones were awkward, and we didn’t get any good looks. It’s just something you have to deal with it and look for the next one.’

Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt credited his back line for its performance. He said his guys kept the Orange in front of them which reduced scoring opportunities. The Hawks never seemed to be out of position, which made it hard for the Orange to find the openings needed to score.

He said the difference between Syracuse having two shots in the first half compared to 12 in the second half was pressure. He said the Hawks kept the pressure on in the first half, but in the second half, SU turned the tide, and the Hawks had to play back more, which SU still didn’t capitalize on.

While Syracuse out-shot Monmouth, 18-9, the only stat that mattered at the end of the game was goals scored – none for each team. But the team knows more and more shots will eventually lead to goals.

‘We definitely could have capitalized on the chances we had,’ Collings said. ‘Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. It’s going to be frustrating but that’s part of the game and you can’t let that take you of your game. You got to take shots. You’re not going to score if you don’t take shots.’

mrehalt@syr.edu

Published on September 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm