Late goals spoil SU women’s soccer’s chance to snap losing streak

Late goals spoil SU women’s soccer’s chance to snap losing streak

Syracuse women’s soccer allows five-plus goals for third straight home game.
Published: October 14, 2018

After Georgia Allen’s second goal of the season cut Notre Dame’s lead in half with less than 20 minutes to go, Syracuse allowed three goals in the final thirteen minutes as the Orange lost to the Fighting Irish 5-1 at SU Soccer Stadium Saturday night.

The loss extends SU’s losing streak to 10 games in a row.

The Fighting Irish hadn’t scored more than three goals in any game this season and entered the game carrying a 2-game losing streak. Even though they hadn’t scored a goal in more than 150 minutes of play, their offense was able to score early. Sophomore Eva Hurm opened the box score on a tap in from a corner after only three minutes of play.

Syracuse Head Coach Phil Wheddon said his team’s slow start had a big impact in the outcome of the game.

“In the first half, it just took us too long to get going,” Wheddon said.

The bad news kept coming after that for the Orange as star forward Sydney Brackett injured herself trying to prevent a corner for Notre Dame in the following play. She didn’t return to the game.

“She was doubtful to play before the game with a quad injury,” Wheddon said. “Now she had the ankle injury of today so as much as I wanted her on the field today, it didn’t make any sense to risk a bigger injury.”

It was a sloppy game. It rained before the game started and that limited the offense for both teams. However, just minutes before the end of the first half, Notre Dame forward Karin Muya  scored to put the Irish 2-0 up at the break.

When the second half started, Syracuse took the initiative. Redshirt Freshman Laurel Ness had a couple of close shots, but she was ultimately denied by Notre Dame’s goalie Brooke Littman. Afterwards, Syracuse forward Kate Donovan had a shot miss wide of goal.

It wasn’t until the 71st minute when star forward Kate Hostage assisted Georgia Allen’s  goal, who finished with ease and cut the Notre Dame lead to one goal.

“We made the decision on halftime that we were going to pressure them more,”Weddon said. “You got to chase the game. We put more players forwards, but the problem with that is that you have less players defending.”

The solution for scoring a goal ended up being Syracuse’s doom. Seven minutes after the Orange’s discount goal, Notre Dame forward Eva Hurm scored her second goal of the game. With five minutes remaining midfielder Sabrina Flores scored the 4-1 tally, and Karin Muya scored the final goal of the match with one minute to go.

“We ended up shooting ourselves in the foot,” Wheddon said. “I thought it was an evenly challenge match. [The Fighting Irish] just took advantage of their opportunities.”

Syracuse will try to end this 10-game losing streak next Thursday when SU visits Virginia, a team currently riding a three-game winning streak.