SU soccer’s late goal conquers Cornell to advance to Elite 8

Syracuse soccer conquered No. 14 Cornell 1-0 with a late goal by midfielder Giona Leibold. The win propels the Orange to the NCAA Elite 8 where they’ll host Vermont next weekend at a TBD time and day.

No. 3 ‘Cuse heads to the Elite 8 for the second time in program history with the first coming in 2015 when head coach Ian McIntyre led the Orange all the way to the semifinals match.

With eight minutes left in the match, SU goalkeeper Russell Shealy saved a shot in the top left corner from Cornell’s Nick Allen. Shealy quickly threw the ball to Leibold who got around a defender and kicked the ball past Cornell goalkeeper Ryan Friedberg.

Syracuse snatched the 1-0 lead and Shealy tallied his first career assist.

The Orange’s defense kept the Big Red from scoring, allowing just nine total shots on goal and marking Syracuse’s eleventh shutout of the season.