SU Men’s Soccer extends win streak to three in 1-0 win over BC

Syracuse Men’s Soccer defeated Boston College 1-0 at SU Soccer Stadium adding yet another win to its two-game streak. A pregame ceremony was held for Orange soccer’s all-time wins leader, head coach Ian McIntyre, in his first home game since achieving this honor.

“Tonight was about our guys and trying to win a game,” Coach McIntyre said. “I’ve been very fortunate.” 

A moment of silence followed coach McIntyre’s ceremony in honor of Syracuse Basketball’s all-time leading scorer, Lawrence Moten, who recently passed away at the age of 53.

Once the game began, SU did not get off to the ideal start, giving BC opportunities to control its offense early. Although this stint ended quickly. Once a few minutes ticked off the clock, SU showed its true identity.

“We worked out what they were doing, and I thought we grew into it,” McIntyre said. We dug deep.”

The second half was where the ‘Cuse really began to excel and where it landed the lone goal of the contest. The 66th-minute finish was set up by Giona Leibold, who fed a beautiful cross to freshman Bryson Rodriguez, who headed it into the net for his first collegiate goal in his first collegiate start. 

“Playing my first home game in front of my family, I think it’s very important,” Rodriguez said, “I’ll never forget it.”

After the go-ahead strike, Boston College started to turn up its aggression in efforts to tie the match. 

Longtime Syracuse goalkeeper Tomas Hut made his first save in the 3rd minute, not making another until the 73rd minute mark.

The graduate student was then tasked with making four crucial saves in the final twenty minutes, including one on a breakaway from Boston College’s Russell Brown. 

SU still created chances late to try and put the game away, including a through ball that forced BC keeper Andrej Borak to pick up a yellow card to prevent a potential breakaway. 

As the clock ticked down, the Orange defense stood tall, holding on through a bicycle kick attempt from Russell Brown in the final minute, one that could have spoiled the evening for the Syracuse faithful.

With the tough victory, Syracuse improves to 5-4-2, including wins in three straight matches. 

This victory meant a lot to the team in the standings, but it also meant a lot to the players, who won it for their coach. McIntyre now has 144 career wins in charge of SU soccer. 

“A great coach but a great human being,” Giona Leibold said. “He plays a huge role in this program he’s built.”

Up next for the Orange is a dance with the SMU Mustangs, a team that is unbeaten in its last four, with a draw against #2 Clemson and a win over #21 Notre Dame. 

“They’re a really good team,” McIntyre said. “That will be a real fun one”. 

Syracuse has a chance to extend its win streak to four next Saturday at SU Soccer Stadium against SMU. Kickoff is slated for 7:30.