Syracuse Women’s Soccer can’t cash its luck against the Irish

Syracuse Women’s Soccer, donning the blue uniforms with pink lettering for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, took on yet another tough test, welcoming No. 17 Notre Dame to the SU Soccer Stadium. 

The Orange couldn’t get the luck of the Irish, falling 3-0. 

“I don’t think we were able to emulate how fast Notre Dame is,” coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said following the defeat. “It took us a bit to understand how to truly mark their more athletic players.”

Syracuse was put on the defensive right from the start and was forced to be on high alert throughout the contest. 

Their shutout lasted until the 29th minute, where freshman Lily Joseph netted two goals in ninety seconds, the second a stinger into the top right corner. 

“She’s special,” Adams said. “You can’t give her any room to breathe right now.”

That was the theme of the entire match, as Notre Dame had 38 shots, 15 of which were on goal. 

An early injury to redshirt junior Ashley Rauch disrupted much of the Syracuse game plan, forcing many players out of their natural positions. 

Syracuse’s star of the day was Shea Vanderbosch, who made 12 saves, her most significant performance of the season. 

“There’s a reason she has the start,” Adams said on her keeper’s performance. “We always know Shea will come up with unbelievable saves.”

Before today, Florida State’s 22 shots attempted was the most the junior keeper saw this season and was the second most of her career after she faced 42 against North Carolina in 2023. 

One positive note for the Orange was that it kept the Irish’s star freshman Izzy Engle off the scoreboard. 

One of Coach Thrasher Adams’ takeaways was the competitive fire in captain Erin Flurey. 

“Erin is extremely competitive,” Adams said. “It’s like that every day.”

Flurey was physical on the ball all game long and brought that out after being fouled hard by Morgan Roy, where she picked up a yellow card for the retaliation. 

Syracuse’s lacked a consistent attack. They totaled nine shots, only three of which were on target. 

After the loss, the Orange moved to 0-6-0 in the ACC and 6-7-1 overall. 

The good news for the Orange is that the bulk of Syracuse’s demanding schedule is in the rearview mirror. 

North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame are among the top 17 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, with the Tar Heels at number three and the Demon Deacons at number four. 

Even though they’re through the gauntlet, Cuse knows it’s far from smooth sailing. 

“There’s no easy game in the ACC,” Adams says. “It’ll be a quick turnaround for us coaches to figure out our game plan.”

She spoke to adjustments needed, with injuries to Rauch and defender Kate Murphy. 

The team has four games left on the schedule, with the next at Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 13. They’ll return to SU Soccer Stadium on Oct. 16 against North Carolina State.