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The Daily OrangeMSOC | Syracuse shut out for 1st time all season in scoreless draw
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 9/12/08, 12:34 AM EST Section: Sports
The scoreboard read 18 shots for Syracuse.
But sometimes, the scoreboard can be misleading.
Syracuse only had six shots on goal and opportunities were far and few between for the men's soccer team as SU tied Monmouth, 0-0, in double overtime Thursday night at SU Soccer Stadium.
Monmouth's defense prevented the Orange from creating scoring opportunities and getting the ball close to the goal for more high-percentage shots. It was the first time SU has failed to score all season.
"They were really physical," said junior forward Hansen Woodruff. "We were passing it off in the first half, and it wasn't as much movement of the ball. They were playing with more energy, but in the second half they started to get a little tired. Unfortunately, none of the shots were real quality ones."
The key for Monmouth (1-1-1) was pressure. When Syracuse (3-0-2) would cross midfield with the ball, a swarm of Monmouth defenders would attack the SU defender. Clean looks were hard to come by, and some of Syracuse's best chances were from corner kicks. Most shots by SU sailed wide, nowhere near the net, but still counted as shots.
SU head coach Dean Foti said Monmouth did a good job maintaining possession. He said the Hawks made sure the pressure led to the Orange keeping the ball on its side of the field, which obviously negates any scoring opportunities.
Monmouth's style was particularly effective in the first half when SU only had two shots, neither of which was on goal. The two shots in the half were tied for SU's lowest in any period this season.
"I think early on they did a good job of keeping the ball," Foti said. "We were sloppy and lethargic coming out in the beginning and I think we had some tired legs from the weekend (the Mayor's Cup). I didn't think we did well with getting balls forward and getting balls behind them."
The Orange had 12 shots in the second half, out-shooting Monmouth 12-1, but on most of the shots Hawks' goalkeeper Bryan Meredith barely needed to move. It wasn't until 15 minutes into the second half that SU registered its first shot on goal.
But sometimes, the scoreboard can be misleading.
Syracuse only had six shots on goal and opportunities were far and few between for the men's soccer team as SU tied Monmouth, 0-0, in double overtime Thursday night at SU Soccer Stadium.
Monmouth's defense prevented the Orange from creating scoring opportunities and getting the ball close to the goal for more high-percentage shots. It was the first time SU has failed to score all season.
"They were really physical," said junior forward Hansen Woodruff. "We were passing it off in the first half, and it wasn't as much movement of the ball. They were playing with more energy, but in the second half they started to get a little tired. Unfortunately, none of the shots were real quality ones."
The key for Monmouth (1-1-1) was pressure. When Syracuse (3-0-2) would cross midfield with the ball, a swarm of Monmouth defenders would attack the SU defender. Clean looks were hard to come by, and some of Syracuse's best chances were from corner kicks. Most shots by SU sailed wide, nowhere near the net, but still counted as shots.
SU head coach Dean Foti said Monmouth did a good job maintaining possession. He said the Hawks made sure the pressure led to the Orange keeping the ball on its side of the field, which obviously negates any scoring opportunities.
Monmouth's style was particularly effective in the first half when SU only had two shots, neither of which was on goal. The two shots in the half were tied for SU's lowest in any period this season.
"I think early on they did a good job of keeping the ball," Foti said. "We were sloppy and lethargic coming out in the beginning and I think we had some tired legs from the weekend (the Mayor's Cup). I didn't think we did well with getting balls forward and getting balls behind them."
The Orange had 12 shots in the second half, out-shooting Monmouth 12-1, but on most of the shots Hawks' goalkeeper Bryan Meredith barely needed to move. It wasn't until 15 minutes into the second half that SU registered its first shot on goal.
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