Late Hoya Goals End Men’s Soccer Chance for Upset

By: Nick Kuzma- CitrusTV Men’s Soccer Beat Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Heading into the second half, it felt as if SU Men’s Soccer was barely surviving in their first game of 2019. No. 13 Georgetown (1-0, 0-0 Big East) was in full attack mode with the posts of the Syracuse net being the only reason the Hoyas were not leading 2-0 at the half.

The Orange opened the regular season on the road in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The Orange hoped to upset the nationally ranked Hoyas and to start Head Coach Ian McIntyre’s 10th season at SU with a victory.

Syracuse had chances to make that hope a reality, as the second half was one of changing momentum. GU’s Derek Dodson, the Hoya’s leading point and goal scorer in 2018, tallied the first goal of the game, just three minutes into the half. The junior completed a full-pitch surge, which started with a goal kick, to score his team’s first goal of the regular season.

The Orange quickly responded, though. Hoya Goalkeeper Giannis Nikopolidis made a crucial error by diving and taking out the legs of SU Forward Luther Archimede. This set up a penalty kick for Syracuse’s Ryan Raposo, who buried it for his, and the Orange’s, first goal of the season.

Syracuse then controlled the pace of play for several minutes. There were many opportunities for the Orange to take the lead, but Nikopolidis made three saves to keep the game tied.

The Orange were never able to capitalize, and the Hoyas eventually had a quality chance of their own. GU’s Zach Riviere lined up for a corner, which perfectly found JB Fischer. The Frenchman headed the ball into the twine, and the Hoyas took the lead.
Georgetown was not finished though, adding another goal off a Dante Plovara goal. The lead would prove insurmountable for Syracuse, who lost the game 3-1.

The Orange (0-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) head back to Central New York for their home opener. SU hosts Binghamton at seven o’clock pm on Monday at SU Soccer Stadium.

npkuzma@syr.edu | @nkuz71