SU women’s soccer struggles to capitalize in second-half surge against Duke

A slow first-half start for Syracuse ended in a 4-0 loss against the fifth-ranked team, Duke, putting them 0-5 on the season.

The game was a tale of two halves as the Orange struggled early, finishing the first half down three goals. In the first half, Duke dominated possession but had the Orange on their heels.

Syracuse head coach Nicky Adams had to give credit to Duke’s strategy.

“The Duke game scared us more than North Carolina,” Adams said. “They’re a passing team, they pull you out of position to create numbers up and they bury it.”

But despite the slow start, Syracuse looked like a completely different team in the second half. The Orange almost scored their first goal of the season when a handball in the box was called for a penalty kick. Syracuse junior forward Meghan Root took the kick and, with a near miss, she was inches away from capitalizing on the penalty.

Syracuse captain Shannon Aviza had praise for Root stepping up and taking the penalty kick.

“I’m happy she went up and took it, and it’s unfortunate,” Aviza said. “I think it also motivated us.”

The Orange had a second-half resurgence, which gave them multiple opportunities to score in the second half and saw the most shots they had taken all season. Syracuse had six shots and four corners in the second half alone.

Adams was pleased with the team’s second-half mindset.

“You saw a different team the second half in terms of just an attitude,” Adams said. “That attitude, you’re going to have more opportunities.”

Despite a 4-0 loss, it was another solid effort from senior goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx. Proulx had eight saves against the Blue Devils.

With the Orange still unable to win a game or score any points so far this season, the end of the game was a bright light for the Orange.

Syracuse looks to end their losing streak Thursday when they kick off against Boston College at 7 p.m.