VESTAL, N.Y. — Syracuse players stood in the Binghamton 18-yard box with their arms in the air in celebration. After several close-range opportunities in the first half, the Orange thought it finally broke through 15 minutes into the second half.

A Syracuse fan in attendance said loudly, “That ball crossed the line.”

But the header from Syracuse midfielder Nick Perea was caught by Binghamton goalkeeper Robert Moewes just in front of the goal line.

Both Syracuse and Binghamton failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities on Tuesday night at the Bearcats Sports Complex. But Syracuse (7-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast) did just enough, and behind a second-half goal from Emil Ekblom escaped with a 1-0 victory over the Bearcats (2-6).

“It’s definitely pleasing. I was talking to some of the guys after the game and I said, ‘I think we’re the only team in the entire country that gets mad when we outshoot a team 18-to-5 and win 1-0,’” Bono said. “It definitely wasn’t our best game of the season … but we’re happy to come away with a win.”

Syracuse had numerous man-up breaks. With eight of its 18 shots coming in the first half – including point-blank chances from Ekblom and Noah Rhynhart – SU head coach Ian McIntyre said the team was frustrated after 45 minutes.

But 19 minutes into the second half, Syracuse defender Jordan Murrell dribbled the ball near the left sideline. Murrell sent a pass to the middle to Chris Nanco, who flicked the ball to an on-rushing Ekblom. The striker placed a shot into the right side of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

“(Binghamton) had a couple of chances,” Ekblom said. “I think we did alright, came to a difficult place, a hard-working team. So at least we got the win and that’s the most important thing.”

The Orange had an opportunity to put the game away with seven minutes left as Perea sent a back-heel pass to Nanco, who sent the shot over the bar. With the ball in the Syracuse’s defensive third for the last five minutes of the match and most of the second half, Binghamton couldn’t find an equalizer.

“The longer the game goes on, you worry that they’re going to nick one,” McIntyre said. “We could have slowed the game down, but we kept going for that second goal.”

Twice in the first half a ball landed behind SU goalkeeper Alex Bono. Twice, a Syracuse defender cleared away the in-close Bearcats scoring attempt.

Twelve minutes into the match, Bearcats midfielder Charlie Novoth crossed a pass into the box for forward Ben Ovetsky. With Bono pulled out of the goal, SU defender Skylar Thomas cleared the ball as it sat feet from the goal line.

“I try not to make any mistakes, but when I do I know that those guys are back there to make up for my mistakes,” Bono said. “Because when it comes down to it, I’m there to make up for theirs. So I expect the same from them.”

With 18 minutes left in the half, Novoth headed down a crossing pass into the goal box. With Bono caught in a scramble, defender Louis Cross cleared the ball into a pile of players. Novoth put another shot on goal that was blocked and kicked away by Murrell.

Syracuse also had two point-blank chances in the half. Ekblom took a through ball from Julian Buescher and had a one-on-one with the keeper but his shot was kicked away by Moewes. Rhynhart also had a half-breakaway with 6:50 left in the half that the keeper just got a piece of to deflect it wide.

With a matchup looming against No. 2 Virginia on Saturday night at the SU Soccer Stadium, SU survived the trap game.

“These Binghamton games are real tests,” McIntyre said. “ … This is a real tough place to come. You know you’re in for a real dogfight for 90 minutes.”

Published on September 23, 2014 at 9:35 pm

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu