Brdaric’s brace propels Syracuse men’s soccer into ACC Tournament quarterfinals

On a cold, windy evening in Syracuse, the ACC Tournament returned to SU Soccer Stadium, as Syracuse men’s soccer faced off against Virginia Tech. 

The Orange entered the tournament as the sixth-seeded team. But the question was: would they play like the top ACC team that has managed to beat three top-25 ranked squads this year? Or, would they play like the bottom-tier side that has dropped points against Duquesne, New Haven and Cornell?

Amidst the storm, Syracuse prevailed, showing all of their best qualities in a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Hokies. 

“We said to the guys before the season that you want to be playing in big matches in November, and this was a fun one,” head coach Ian McIntyre said.

It was Syracuse graduate center back Tim Brdaric who got the fun started in the 23rd minute with a flying header that put the Orange ahead. Senior midfielder Carlos Zambrano’s free kick skimmed off the head of a Hokie defender, making its way to the back post, where the Düsseldorf, Germany native was waiting to pounce. After a back-and-forth start, it was just the momentum swing that the Orange needed. 

SU had a fantastic chance to go up two goals just a few moments later. Freshman midfielder Bryson Rodriguez played an insightful through-ball into the box for Zambrano, who thundered the ball against the far post with a clear look at the net. 

But then, the Orange thought they had found a second goal, when a back heel flick off of a low driven corner kick found its way into the back of the net. It was all celebrations for the Orange fans until referee Amin Hadzic made his way over to the monitor for a video review, deeming an offside offense against Syracuse. SU’s pursuit of a second goal was once again thwarted. 

Virginia Tech took advantage of its fortune, generating offensive play of its own on the other end of the pitch. Last week’s ACC Offensive Player of the Week, Declan Quill, was the primary threat to Syracuse’s backline. 

Quill had his breakthrough moment in the 41st minute, when Hokies freshman Joao Felicio danced his way down the left flank and centered the ball across the goal to Quill, who made no mistake in taking his chance. Just like that, the game was tied up at one goal apiece headed into halftime. 

The second half started with chances on both ends as the rain picked up and the wind got stronger. 

Then in the 63rd minute, Syracuse struck. Graduate midfielder Giona Leibold squeezed a cross into the box from the left flank. Graduate defender Gavin Wigg stuck out his foot and poked the ball towards the back post, where Brdaric was once again waiting. He smashed it into the back of the net from close range, completing his brace and restoring the Syracuse lead.

In the most important game of his first season in college soccer, the center back turned into a center forward, scoring his third and fourth goals of the year to propel Syracuse into the next round of the ACC tournament. 

“I’m kind of stuck in this moment right now,” Brdaric said. “I’m just really happy for the team to advance to the next round.”

Once they had regained the lead, the Orange invited pressure from the visitors as they desperately tried to hold on and advance. The Orange sat a little bit deeper and defended as a unit, fending off Virginia Tech’s consistent pressure. 

With just two and a half minutes to play, the visitors cried for a penalty kick after a takedown on the left side of the box. But a video review revealed no foul, much to the relief of Orange fans. 

After nearly 30 minutes of scrappy defending in the pouring rain, the final whistle sounded and the Orange officially booked their place in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. 

“Look, we may not be the best team in the country, but what we are is a tough, gritty team that leaves it all on the field,” McIntyre said. “What we’re doing to try to hang in there and get results is whatever it takes, next man up.”

Next up for the Orange is a quarterfinal clash with NC State on Sunday. Syracuse will prepare to fly into North Carolina for a rematch of last Friday’s 1-1 draw. 

The Wolfpack made light work of Louisville Wednesday night, cruising to a 3-0 victory in their opening game of the ACC tournament. Through seventeen games this season, head coach Marc Hubbard’s NC State has conceded just four goals. 

McIntyre knows it’s a tall ask ahead. But after Orange fans showed out in treacherous conditions Wednesday night, he’s more than aware that the Syracuse faithful deserve a victory. 

“From our team, thank you to our supporters. You make this very special to be here at Syracuse,” McIntyre said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to give you a couple more games this season at the SU Soccer Stadium.”