SU men’s soccer takes home opener over Drexel
SU soccer beats Drexel 2-0
Packed bleachers shook with energy at SU Soccer Stadium on Thursday night as the Orange men’s soccer team opened its 2021 season with a 2-0 win over the Drexel Dragons.
The Orange controlled midfield and held the majority of offensive possession throughout the first 30 minutes. On the attack, Syracuse tried to reach sophomore forward Deandre Kerr on strong lead passes.
With three minutes left in the half, Drexel’s Rafael Mariano stepped in front of Kerr and sent him to the turf. The crowd erupted, and Mariano was given a yellow card.
Syracuse Men’s Soccer Head Coach Ian McIntyre said the physicality is just part of competitive Division I soccer.
“We have a lot of new guys,” McIntyre said. “The great thing is that it was an introduction to them on that physicality, that intensity and the speed of play that’s required.”
Through 45 minutes, Syracuse led with three shots and two corner kicks. Drexel did not register a shot but earned two corner kicks.
From the opening second-half whistle, the physicality between the two teams continued. SU freshman midfielder Giona Leibold and Drexel’s Patrick Murphy both received yellow cards.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, McIntyre substituted Kerr and sophomore midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski. Their presence immediately impacted the Orange offensive zone production.
“I think that was an advantage we had in the second half was the quality that we were bringing off the bench,” McIntyre said. “We weren’t dropping the intensity. If anything, we lifted and went to another gear in the second half.”
Moments later, senior midfielder Colin Biros broke the tie and scored on a deflected center pass from junior defender Noah Singelmann.
“I just knew there was nobody behind me. All I could do was get something on frame and sometimes you get lucky,” Biros said. “Credit to Noah, he put a great ball in.”
Singlemann found his way back onto the score sheet and assisted junior defender Christian Curti with a well-placed corner kick. Curti’s goal trickled over the goal line and gave the Orange a 2-0 lead, which they held for the final score.
“It’s not about individuals, it’s not about me, it’s about the team in the end,” Singlemann said. “First game, first win. It’s just the start for us.”
The Orange held Drexel scoreless and without any shots on goal – something McIntyre said will prove to be more impressive as this season moves along.
“I think we’re going to find out that this Drexel team is a good team. They’re going to win some games this year,” McIntyre said. “We made life difficult for them and that’s a good trait and part of our Syracuse DNA.”