Orange soccer heads to first national title in program history

Orange soccer heads to first National Championship in program history

Levonte Johnson scores the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Creighton in the College Cup semifinals.
Published: December 10, 2022
Syracuse defender Christian Curti scored his first goal of the season against Creighton on Dec. 9, 2022.
SU defender Christian Curti scored his first goal of the season Friday against Creighton during the College Cup semifinals.

No. 3 Syracuse soccer is heading to its first-ever national championship game after its Friday win over Creighton 3-2 in Cary, N.C., marking the Orange’s program-record 18th win of this season.

After a tight game thus far, Orange forward Levonte Johnson scored ‘Cuse’s game-winning goal in the 86th minute with an assist from Nathan Opoku.

The game ended much like it started — getting on top. In the first half, Orange defender Christian Curti tapped in his first goal of the season from Curt Calov‘s corner kick.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Creighton forward Duncan McGuire tied it up, but quickly Syracuse countered with a goal of their own. Opoku scored his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-1.

Creighton forward Alfie Pope scored to tie it up once again in the 64th minute.

Johnson’s shot won it for the Orange and sends the No. 3 squad to the national championship match against No. 13 Indiana at 6 p.m. Monday.

Orange midfielder Jackson Glenn dribbled the ball during the NCAA semifinal match against Creighton on Dec. 9, 2022.
Orange midfielder Jackson Glenn dribbled the ball during Friday's NCAA semifinal match against Creighton.