Offense Struggles Again as Syracuse Falls to No. 6 Virginia 4-0

By Max Chadwick

Citrus TV Women’s Soccer Beat Reporter

CHARLOTTESVILLE, V.A.- Syracuse (3-13, 0-8 Atlantic Coast) entered Thursday’s matchup with No. 6 Virginia (13-2, 6-2) having scored a goal in three straight matches after starting the conference slate with none in the first four. Not only was the Orange shut out by the Cavaliers, but it was also held without a shot, being blanketed by UVA and falling 4-0.

This was the first time all season that Syracuse was held shotless. Virginia backed up its ranking against Syracuse dominating in possession and putting up 25 shots. The Virginia defense suffocated the Orange as Syracuse struggled to get the ball past midfield all match.

Virginia opened the scoring with a goal from freshman forward/midfielder Alexa Spaanstra off a rebound in the 26th minute. Virginia would head into halftime with that one-goal advantage. Then in the second half, Spaanstra found the back of the net again in the 70th minute. Then, the Orange committed a foul in the penalty box, allowing senior midfielder Ayan Adu to score off the penalty kick in the 80th minute. Finally, in the 85th minute, redshirt freshman Sam Rosette tapped one into the net and finish off Virginia’s 4-0 victory.

The loss was Syracuse’s 11th straight and the Orange will look to get back on track on Sunday when it travels to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons also played Thursday, beating Clemson 2-1. That game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

@Chad_Maxwick | mmchadwi@syr.edu