Syracuse Falls to Bowling Green 2-1

By Jared Johnston

CitrusTV’s Men’s Soccer Beat Reporter

Men’s soccer continues to experience growing pains after coming up emptyhanded in Buffalo. With the departure of star player Luther Archimede from last season, came the arrival of 11 freshman players for Head Coach Ian McIntyre to work with. The Orange drew against Albany last Friday, and just conceded a 2-1 loss to Bowling Green this afternoon.

Cuse were 1-0-1 to start off their spring campaign, but now fall to 1-1-1 after the disappointing loss. The Falcons took control of the match right from the get go. SU has characteristically been a counter attacking team with an imposing high press, but Bowling Green was able to control possession and break past it.

In the 29th minute, the Chris Sullivan swung in a cross from the corner spot to find Nathan Masters. Bowling Green’s first goal of the game off the set piece would ultimately hold to the end of the first half, as the Orange couldn’t find any sustained pressure.

Early in the second half, Kyle Cusimano doubled the Falcons’ lead after a blunder from the SU back line. That 56th minute goal was countered a few minutes later, as the Orange earned a penalty. Senior midfielder Simon Triantafillou calmly slotted it home and cut the deficit to one goal with a third of the game to go.

Bowling Green finished the game with shored up defensive work to hold their lead to the final whistle and win by a final score of 2-1.

This was the first loss of Cuse’s spring season, but their fourth loss on the entire season. With a complete record at 1-4-3, SU still has plenty of games to improve. They showed promise with a double overtime loss against #2 Pittsburgh to open the season in October, but has receded to inconsistency since then.

The Orange play their next match at a neutral site in Albany against Vermont on March 1st with kickoff at 1:30 PM.

jjohns05@syr.edu | @jaredjohnstontv