Syracuse and Miami were still deadlocked at zero through 59 minutes.

The Orange spent the first half of the season preparing to play 1,400 miles from home against a conference opponent. And then in the 60th minute, the preparation came to fruition.

Stephanie Skilton received the ball off a pass from Maya Pitts that deflected off a Miami defender. Then Skilton slotted it into the far corner of the net, giving SU the only goal it needed.

After going winless in its last four games, Syracuse (4-4-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) inched by Miami (2-8, 0-2 ACC) with a 1-0 victory on Thursday night at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida. The Orange pulled out the win despite being outshot 16-7, and SU goalie Courtney Brosnan made five saves in her first career shutout and the Orange’s third of the season.

The win concludes a seven-game road stand for Syracuse in which it went 3-3-1. It was also SU’s 10th game away from home in its first 11.

“One of the reasons why we’ve gone on the road so much is to prepare us for going into these harsh environments in the ACC,” SU head coach Phil Wheddon said during the week.

Skilton’s goal lifted Syracuse to the win and elevated the Orange out of the bottom tier of the ACC standings.

Syracuse’s next game is against Pittsburgh on Sunday at noon at SU Soccer Stadium.

Published on September 26, 2014 at 12:22 am

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds