Syracuse women’s soccer drops heartbreaker to Miami in second to last game of season

October is seen by many to be the “spookiest” month of the year. It was no different for Syracuse women’s soccer, who took a devastating 2-1 loss to Miami to finish off a winless October. The Orange (4-10-2, 1-8-0 ACC) trailed the Hurricanes (10-3-3, 4-2-2 ACC) for less than three minutes of this match, but they were the most important three minutes of the night.

The Orange were put on the back foot early. An unmarked Madelynn Sadusky header went just wide in the third minute, and the Hurricanes maintained consistent possession in the first 10 minutes. Miami threatened with long balls over the defense, targeting striker Kambryl Armstrong.

It was Syracuse, however, who had the first big chance of the game. Ali Howard was hit hard in the box by Amanda Peck in the 14th minute, but the contact went uncalled. After play stopped to check on Howard, officials reviewed the play and overturned the call. The Orange did not squander the opportunity. Captain Gabby Wisbeck buried it left past Atlee Olofson to give Syracuse its first lead since Sept. 24. It’s Wisbeck’s first of the year.

Despite the goal, the Orange continued to play on the back foot. Syracuse produced a moment of defensive brilliance in the 19th minute. Teegan Melenhorst played a ball over the top to put Sadusky through on goal. Maya Naimoli was up to the challenge, producing an all-world save to deny Sadusky. The rebound fell to Armstrong in the box, but her follow-up effort was blocked by Bree Bridges and the Orange avoided further danger. Naimoli tied her season-high with eight saves.

“We can always count on her to make saves, which is pretty impressive,” Head Coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said after the game. “Maya’s done really well.”

Miami stayed on the offensive for the rest of the half, particularly attacking down the left flank. The aerial dominance of Bridges and additional plays from Chloe Joseph and Natalie Magnotta kept the Hurricanes at bay and scoreless. Despite being outshot 13-3 in the first half, it was the Orange who entered the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.

Just 11 seconds into the second half, Wisbeck went down with a leg injury and wouldn’t return.

“I think the game would’ve gone differently if we had Gabby in there,” Adams said.

Naimoli came up big again with a strong save in a 2-on-1 situation. But just two minutes after that save, the Orange defense finally gave in. Armstrong found Sadusky in the middle, who turned and fired one with her left past Naimoli to bring the match level with just over 37 minutes to go.

The following stretch of the game was largely played in the middle third of the field. Moo Galbus and Sadusky both had shots on net that were easily handled by opposing keepers. With just over 12 minutes left, a Miami corner and ensuing scramble sent the ball across the net with Armstrong on the receiving end. Armstrong sailed the shot high, much to the relief of the Orange.

With just 3:57 left and Syracuse in sight of its first positive result in over a month, disaster struck. Magnotta brought Armstrong down in the box and the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty. But, the Orange got a much-needed break. Sam Marella stepped up to take the penalty and flew it over the crossbar. The Syracuse crowd erupted as the light of a draw was at the end of the tunnel.

There was still time remaining.

After the Orange threatened at goal, the Hurricanes unleashed a lightning-quick counter. Armstrong received a Miami defensive clearance behind the halfway line, but completely through on goal. She outran Bridges and sent a clinical finish past Naimoli into the bottom right corner to break the hearts of the Orange.

“Bummer, last three minutes of the game,” Adams said. “We’ve got one more game at home and hopefully we can end with a good result.”

Syracuse plays its final game of the season next Thursday against Cal at SU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.