Syracuse Men’s Soccer woes continue in a shutout loss against #19 Duke
By Adam Hipsky | @adamhipsky
Syracuse men’s soccer finds itself in an early hole in conference play after dropping its first two ACC matches, both against ranked opponents. The Orange (2-4-2, 0-2-0) are still looking for their first league win after falling to No. 8 Stanford at home and then losing 2-0 on the road to Duke.
The schedule has not been forgiving. Syracuse nearly pulled off an upset of Stanford, leading 2-1 with just 12 minutes to play before conceding twice in the closing stretch. Against Duke, the Blue Devils struck quickly and never looked back, scoring in the seventh minute and again in the 78th to put the match away. Both teams played physically, combining for 32 fouls, but Duke’s edge in possession and finishing proved decisive.
The Orange were once again outshot, a troubling trend as the season progresses. Duke registered 15 attempts compared to Syracuse’s eight, marking the second straight match SU has been outpaced in creating chances. Goalkeeper Tomas Hut made three saves to keep his team within striking distance, but the lack of consistent offensive pressure has put added strain on the defense.
Still, Syracuse showed flashes in the loss to the Blue Devils. Gavin Wigg’s crucial clearance off a dangerous first-half set piece prevented Duke from doubling its lead before halftime. The Orange also earned opportunities on free kicks, though they couldn’t translate them into shots on goal.
For Syracuse to turn things around, sharper execution in the final third will be critical. Limiting defensive lapses late in games and finding more consistent shot creation are priorities if the Orange want to climb the ACC standings. Establishing an attacking rhythm will take pressure off Hut and a back line that has been tested heavily in recent weeks.
The good news: Syracuse now returns home for another nonconference matchup before a grueling ACC stretch. A midweek test against local rival Colgate provides an opportunity to reset and rebuild confidence ahead of matches with California and Boston College. With Cornell, currently ranked No. 24, also looming, the Orange will need to make adjustments quickly.
Early stumbles against top-20 teams have put Syracuse behind, but the path forward remains. If the Orange can rediscover balance between their midfield creativity and defensive discipline, they still have time to change the tone of their season.
