Soccer

SU men’s soccer dominates Niagara in home opener

SU men’s soccer dominates Niagara in home opener

Syracuse allowed two shots on net and three different players scored in team’s first home game of the year.

Syracuse held the lead going into half-time, and capped the score at 3-1 in their first game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Matt Hoffman
Syracuse, huddled after their first round win in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, has won its first two games of the 2024 season.

It was home sweet home for the Syracuse Men’s Soccer team Sunday night. 

No. 25 SU defeated the Purple Eagles of Niagara University 3-0 to open its 2024 home schedule. 

The Orange Faithful filled the stands in the first home game of the season and contributed to Syracuse’s dominance. 

“It’s amazing anytime you play in front of a bunch of fans like that, it’s just electric. You get that energy from the fans, making you play out your mind. So I think it was a great atmosphere today, and hopefully, every home game we pack it out,” graduate transfer Sam Layton said after the match.

Both teams set a physical tone early. Junior forward Nicholas Kaloukian received a yellow card two minutes into the match after a physical sliding challenge. 

“You gotta be careful,”  Kaloukian said. “(Yellow cards) add up. Last year, I grabbed a few yellow cards, so I’ve just got to be more careful moving forward.”

The Orange controlled the pace of the game from the opening whistle. SU found scoring opportunities early and often. In the fourth minute, freshman midfielder Sachiel Ming crossed the ball into graduate defender Andre Cutler-DeJesus’s path, though Niagara goalkeeper Jamie Barry dealt with the danger. 

Barry faced nine first-half shots on goal as the Orange continued to put pressure on the Purple Eagles’ net. 

Niagara had a golden opportunity to score first and put the pressure on the Orange. A bouncing ball just outside the 18-yard box fell to midfielder Gianluca Del Priore’s feet and gave Niagara their first chance at goal. Del Priore hit the ball sweetly on the volley, forcing a diving save from senior goalkeeper Tomas Hut, pushing the ball away from the bottom right corner. 

The midfielder’s attempt proved to be the only shot of the half for Niagara. 

The game for Niagara opened up after Del Priore’s opportunity. Kaloukian had a chance after Niagara’s Kevin Payne misplayed a long ball, but the effort ultimately fell short. 

After 10 more minutes of pressure from the Orange, a long through ball fromLayton switched the SU attack. Ming chested the pass, blew past the Purple Eagles’ right back, and delivered a fizzing cross into sophomore Ezra Widman, who smashed the ball past Barry to put Syracuse up 1-0.

Syracuse’s second goal of the night came shortly after. 

Senior Elton Chifamba curled a right-footed free-kick across the box, landing on freshman Chimere Omeze’s head for an easy goal. The defender has found the back of the net in both of Syracuse’s matches this season – an 87th-minute goal against Colgate gave the Orange the win in their season opener. 

The second half proved to be a continuation of SU’s first-half dominance. The Orange finished with 17 shots on target compared to one shot for the Purple Eagles. 

Syracuse scored its third goal in the 53rd minute when Kaloukian found himself on the counter attack and, after playing the ball wide to junior Michael Acquah, darted into the box.

Acquah took on the lone Niagara defender and squared the ball back across to Kaloukian who finished into an empty net.

“We probably should have registered a couple more, but three goals and a shutout at home to start the campaign – I’m delighted,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said.

The Syracuse Men’s Soccer team continues its home slate with a match against the undefeated Charlotte 49ers on Thursday night. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.