Wake Forest stuns Syracuse with two quick goals

Gorgeous weather, record attendance and Friday night lights were all still not enough for the Orange to prevail in a thrilling contest against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. 

A second-half lead for Syracuse was squashed by conceding two goals in just two minutes – depriving SU men’s soccer of securing their first ACC win of the season, falling 2-1 to the Deacs.

In the history of this competitive matchup, the visiting team has never secured victory in the 11 previous meetings – that is, until tonight. 

While the scoring didn’t begin until the second half, the first half was filled with highlight-reel-worthy plays, impeccable goalkeeping, and a surplus of fouls on both sides. 

Offensive build-up arose rapidly, but no attacking chance proved to be too dangerous in the first 45 minutes of play. This pattern continued in the early minutes of the second half following the intermission. 

That was until Sam Layton – the captain and the anchor of this program – broke through in the 65th minute. 

It began when Braedon Smith earned a corner kick for the Orange off of a deflected shot. Nathan Scott delivered a beautiful service into the 6-yard box that was headed out by a Wake Forest defender. 

The ball trickled out to Smith at the top of the 18-yard box, giving him another chance that was blocked by his teammate. A friendly bounce landed at the feet of Layton, who then fired a shot to put the Orange on top 1-0. 

The crowd full of SU fans erupted, acknowledging the momentum they had as this was the first goal scored at home since September 17. 

Coach Ian McIntyre switched their formation to sit more defensively and hopefully preserve the lead.

Photo by Daniel Gaither

Syracuse University Men’s Soccer players defend a free kick.

Both teams, eager to add to the scoreboard, amplified the intensity, which was proven through fouls, yellow cards, and conversations with head referee Dimitar Chavdarov. 

Multiple players stepped in to hold back their teammates, exchanging words with the opposition, hoping to prevent anything physical. 

Chavdarov had to pull aside Coach McIntyre and Wake Forest Coach Bobby Muuss to nip their rising tension in the bud. If fans at SU Soccer Stadium wanted an interesting matchup, then that is surely what they got. 

The clock wound down; the Orange and their fans almost tasted that ACC victory they’d been chasing. But it was just too good to be true. 

Photo by Daniel Gaither

Syracuse University goalkeeper Tomas Hunt deflects a shot on the goal.

In the 77th minute, Dylan Borso earned the Demon Deacons their first goal of the evening with a fantastic individual effort ending with a cut inside on his defender for a left-footed shot, slipped on the ground near the post. 

Then, exactly two minutes later in the 79th minute, Borso again worked down the right flank and snuck past his defender into the box to find a wide-open Basit Umar, who buried the game-winning goal to put the Deacs up 2-1. 

The remaining 10 minutes of the contest were hard fought, but ultimately not enough for the Orange to claw back and find the equalizer. Wake Forest would fly back to Winston Salem with the pride of their first ACC win of the season. 

Syracuse men’s soccer has their next contest against in-state foe UAlbany on Tuesday, as they look to find their fourth win of the season on the road against the Great Danes.