Syracuse Secures 1-0 Victory Over No. 13 North Carolina

By: Adam Gotkin | @adam_gotkin

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 18 Syracuse clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory against No. 13 North Carolina in an intense soccer matchup. Graduate student Buster Sjoberg was the hero of the night, scoring his first goal for the Orange.

Syracuse controlled the game, outshooting North Carolina 12-9 and dominating corner kicks 8-5. Sophomore goalkeeper Jahiem Wickham shone with back-to-back clean sheets, making four crucial saves.

Coach Ian McIntyre praised his team’s resilience against a strong North Carolina squad. He commended defenders Pablo Pedregosa, Josh Belluz, Buster Sjoberg, and Nate Edwards for their standout performances.

In the opening half, Syracuse dominated with seven shot attempts while keeping North Carolina at bay. Syracuse capitalized on set pieces, with senior Jeorgio Kocevski delivering a precise ball into the box at the 22:42 mark. Buster Sjoberg skillfully sent the ball into the left side of the net, marking his debut goal for Syracuse.

Syracuse’s defense remained solid, frustrating North Carolina’s attack and securing the team’s fifth clean sheet of the season. Wickham made two crucial stops in the final minutes to preserve the shutout.

Notable statistics included Sjoberg’s first goal for Syracuse and Kocevski’s assist, tying him for the third-most assists by a senior in program history with eight.

Set pieces continued to be a potent weapon for Syracuse, with nine of the team’s 19 goals originating from such plays. Syracuse’s strong defensive form was highlighted by back-to-back clean sheets, achieved for the second time this season.

Syracuse’s journey continues as they return home for a four-match homestand, starting with a clash against Temple on Tuesday, October 10, at 7 p.m.