Women’s soccer battles Harvard to scoreless draw on Senior Day

Senior Day began with celebrations for Syracuse women’s soccer Sunday afternoon, but ended with the Orange settling for a scoreless draw against Harvard.

On a cloudy and occasionally rainy day at the SU Soccer Stadium, Syracuse and Harvard battled to a 0-0 draw, with both teams generating strong opportunities but neither finding the back of the net. The Orange finished with 16 shots, including six on target, while Harvard recorded 18 shots and five on goal.

Before kickoff, Syracuse’s seniors were honored alongside their families and friends in an on-field ceremony. Players and parents posed for pictures as the crowd applauded the Orange program’s seniors. The team honored nine seniors in the pregame ceremony, including two team managers.

Harvard immediately tested Syracuse goalkeeper Maya Naimoli. The Crimson registered two shots in the opening three minutes, including one saved by Naimoli. Syracuse responded with pressure, earning its first corner in the fourth minute and creating multiple early chances for senior midfielder Vickie Jones.

Syracuse controlled stretches early in the first half before Harvard gradually controlled possession and began creating more chances. Naimoli and the Orange defense kept the game level, while Harvard’s defense prevented Syracuse from capitalizing on their opportunities.

The Crimson entered halftime with a 10-5 shot advantage, but the score remained 0-0. Syracuse junior midfielder Gabby Wisbeck received a yellow card in the 35th minute as the game’s physicality continued to increase.

The Orange came out more aggressively after halftime. Syracuse increased its pressure upfield, forcing Harvard into mistakes and creating more possession in the Crimson’s half.

“We just adjusted a few players to get a higher press on them,” Syracuse head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said. “We saw in the first 20 minutes of the game we were pressing higher. They were struggling, making mistakes, kicking balls out of bounds.”

Syracuse’s pressure produced several second-half opportunities. Senior forward Moo Galbus forced a Crimson save in the 60th minute, while sophomore midfielder Abby Incorvaia had another shot saved in the 79th minute. Naimoli continued to answer for the Orange, making saves on Harvard chances.

The game’s biggest moment arrived in the 89th minute. After a foul in the box gave Syracuse a penalty kick, Vickie Jones stepped to the spot aiming to break the deadlock. Harvard goalkeeper Olivia Busy made a diving save to thwart Jones’ attempt.

Syracuse pushed forward after the missed penalty, earning a corner and generating two more shots before the final whistle as Harvard held on to preserve the scoreless draw.

The late sequence featured multiple coaching challenges, adding to the stoppages and drama as the teams eyed a winner.

Thrasher Adams said the challenges added another layer to the intense finish.

“It’s interesting with the coaches’ challenges this year,” Thrasher Adams said. “Neither one of us used them until the end of the second half, so it ended up just being an explosion of coaches trying to win it for their team.”

Naimoli finished with five saves and a clean sheet, while Harvard’s two goalkeepers combined for six saves. The result moved Syracuse to 3-1-2 on the season, while Harvard moved to 1-2-1.

For Syracuse’s seniors, the significance of the day was not lost in its result.

“It’s been four years, and I’ve grown and developed so much as not only a player but a person,” Naimoli said. “It means a lot to have had my family and family friends here to see me through.”

Thrasher Adams said the senior class has played a crucial role in establishing the program’s foundation.

“They all are committed so deeply to this program and give it everything they have,” Thrasher Adams said.

The Orange return to action Thursday at 6 p.m. against Binghamton before beginning ACC play Sept. 13 at Boston College.