Women’s Soccer Beats Miami 1-0

By Nick Dugan

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Wednesday afternoon’s match against a Miami, winless in conference play, had all the makings of a trap game. The weather was cold and rainy and after all, it was a Wednesday afternoon.

But, the Orange (7-5-2, 2-3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) edged out the Hurricanes (4-8-0, 0-6-0) at SU Soccer Stadium, 1-0.

Taylor Bennett scored Syracuse’s only goal on the day. In the 21st minute, the sophomore fired the ball from near midfield towards the Miami goal. Hurricanes keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce got both hands on the shot, but it slipped right through her gloves and trickled into the net.

“We know Taylor can strike the ball from a long way out,” head coach Phil Wheddon said. “She was 40 yards or so from goal with no pressure. So – if you don’t shoot you don’t score … It was a great shot and it forced the goalkeeper into a mistake.”

It was just the defender’s second goal this season, but for Wheddon, a goal is a goal.

“It doesn’t matter where goals come from,” he said, with a smile on his face. I’m happy when the ball goes in the back of the net.”

Both sides played through a near-constant rain all game. Despite the conditions, the Orange offense applied pressure for a full 90 minutes. Miami mustered just two shots on goal to Syracuse’s eight.

“I think both teams were dealing with the weather,” forward Alex Lamontagne said. “It was a battle between both of us, and I think our team did a really good job adjusting to it and just keeping the ball on the ground and just playing to feet.”

‘Cuse keeper Courtney Brosnan notched her 24th career win and 18th career clean sheet, both of which rank third in program history. The senior made just two saves on the day. Syracuse’s defense stifled the Hurricanes more than the rain.

“I think we made a lot of adjustments in the end there,” she said. “[The defense] limited the chances that they had on me … We’ll continue to move forward and grow as a team and definitely as a back line.”

With time ticking down on the regular season, the team will head south to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on North Carolina State this weekend.

“Any points in the ACC is massive,” Wheddon admitted. We obviously have a few games remaining. We know that every game counts and we need to get some points on the road.”

Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 2 p.m.