Syracuse finishes season ranked No. 17 in national poll
After completing the most successful season in school history, the Syracuse men’s soccer team finished No. 17 in the final NSCAA/Continental Tire Top 25 poll, released on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
The Orange received 180 points in the voting and entered the Top 25 for the first time in the 2012 season, concluding the season in the national rankings for the third time in school history.
Following a 3-12-1 campaign in 2011, the Orange was picked to finish last in the Big East Red Division before the season started. Syracuse embarked on an historic season, though, and finished 14-6-1 – including a 5-3 record in the team’s final year in Big East play.
After a 4-2 loss to eventual No. 1 seed Notre Dame in the Big East tournament, Syracuse was on the NCAA tournament bubble. The committee gave SU the nod, as the team earned its first tournament appearance since 1984.
The Orange traveled to Ithaca, NY to face Cornell, knocking off the favored Big Red 1-0 on a goal by senior Lars Muller in the 10th minute.
SU then traveled to Richmond, Va. and battled against Virginia Commonwealth. Senior Louis Clark’s dagger in the waning minutes of double overtime propelled the Orange to a thrilling 3-2 victory. The win pushed Syracuse to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
The Orange then lost to Georgetown 1-1 (4-2) on a penalty shootout, ending its momentous season.
Syracuse was the most improved team in the nation in 2012 (+8.5 win-loss improvement) and finished 2nd in its division.
Freshman Jordan Vale led the team in scoring with nine goals. Muller added six, while junior Tony Asante chipped in with five.
Jordan Murrell and Nick Bibbs anchored a reliable Syracuse defense that only allowed 17 goals throughout the season.
The offense, meanwhile, tallied 39 goals, averaging close to two per game and overpowering opponents.
SU loses six seniors – Muller, Clark, Bibbs, Ted Cribley, Mark Brode and Mawuena Agbossoumonde.
Freshman standouts Vale, Stefanos Stamoulacatos and goalie Alex Bono all return for a Syracuse team that brings back seven starters.
Published on December 14, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass
