No. 21 Syracuse falls to Pittsburgh, 2-1, for 3rd loss in last 4 games.
Josh Shub-Seltzer | Staff Photographer
After Syracuse lost to Duke on Sept. 22, two Orange players sat on the turf to process the game. It was Syracuse's third consecutive loss at home is the first since 2009.
Four days after Syracuse cruised past Colgate on the road, the Orange traveled to Pittsburgh to face a Panther team that scored seven goals in its last contest against West Virginia.
A second-half goal for Pittsburgh was the difference as the Panthers (5-5-0, 1-3-0 Atlantic Coast) dealt No. 21 SU (5-4-2, 0-3-1 ACC) its third loss in four games, 2-1, at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
“It was a typical ACC matchup, both teams had their chances,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said. “We weren’t firing on all cylinders.”
A late push was not enough for the Orange. The offense had been stagnant for the majority of the game and SU orchestrated nine shots but few quality chances, allowing Pittsburgh to fire off 12 shots. In the first half, the Panthers controlled possession and SU was on its heels. Both teams went into the game looking for its first conference win of the year, and at the end of 90 minutes, SU remains on the look out.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Colin Brezniak found space down the left side of the Panther formation. He took one step inside the penalty box and sent a shot over the head of SU goalie Hendrik Hilpert in the top right corner with the score that eventually decided the game.
In the 31st minute, Edward Kizza was unmarked and broke through the SU backline. Pol Planellas earned possession in the midfield and saw his teammate split the defenders. He sent an over the top through ball which Kizza headed past Hilpert. As the ball bounced passed him, Hilpert kept his arms at his side and gave his defenders a stunned look.
It looked like Syracuse would be shutout for the second time this season but in the 87th minute, Johannes Pieles headed home a Hugo Delhommelle free kick to cut the lead to one. The Orange looked primed to score a second goal, showing more life than earlier. With 40 seconds left, SU earned a corner kick but it was knocked away, sealing SU’s fate.
“We huffed and puffed, we scored, but ultimately the damage had been done,” McIntyre said.
Published on September 29, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez
