Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWSOC | No. 21 Rutgers spoils Syracuse's senior night with stingy defense
By Andrew L. John
Posted: 10/20/08, 5:01 AM EST Section: Sports
After Friday night's two-goal reprieve against Seton Hall, there was reason to believe Syracuse's goal-scoring drought was finally over.
Not quite. Despite the pent-up energy that accompanied the Orange's senior day, the final scene of Sunday's matchup with No. 21 Rutgers was all too familiar. The Orange failed to net a goal against the Scarlet Knights, losing, 1-0, in front of a crowd of 221.
It was the third time in five games the Orange (5-9-2, 2-6-1 Big East) has lost, 1-0, and its sixth loss in seven games. Syracuse has just three goals in those seven contests.
"It was another one of those games that we could've and should've won," SU head coach Phil Wheddon said. "We had our opportunities, but we had to remain focused. We knew that we were able to match them in every department."
There was no lack of motivation for the Orange to win Sunday's game. If it wants to get back to the Big East Tournament for the first time since 2005, Syracuse needs to rack up wins fast. SU currently sits three points behind Pittsburgh and South Florida for the fifth and final tournament spot in the American division.
The game also presented the 10 SU players suiting up for their final home game a chance to finally beat Rutgers (11-4-1, 6-2-1 Big East) after five straight defeats. Still, Syracuse couldn't muster the goal it needed.
"We had some opportunities," senior forward Crystal Rinaldi said. "We just needed to take advantage of them."
While Syracuse's offense sputtered, the Rutgers attack kept coming. At one point in the second half, the Scarlet Knights outshot the Orange 6-0 in a span of only three minutes.
Syracuse was outshot by Rutgers for the game, 14-7, and the Scarlet Knights also had five corner kicks to SU's one. Syracuse goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan had a season-high eight saves - but it wasn't enough.
"We stayed with them for the majority of the game," Rinaldi said. "The first half we surprised them with how physical we can play. …We just outhustled them to every loose ball."
Not quite. Despite the pent-up energy that accompanied the Orange's senior day, the final scene of Sunday's matchup with No. 21 Rutgers was all too familiar. The Orange failed to net a goal against the Scarlet Knights, losing, 1-0, in front of a crowd of 221.
It was the third time in five games the Orange (5-9-2, 2-6-1 Big East) has lost, 1-0, and its sixth loss in seven games. Syracuse has just three goals in those seven contests.
"It was another one of those games that we could've and should've won," SU head coach Phil Wheddon said. "We had our opportunities, but we had to remain focused. We knew that we were able to match them in every department."
There was no lack of motivation for the Orange to win Sunday's game. If it wants to get back to the Big East Tournament for the first time since 2005, Syracuse needs to rack up wins fast. SU currently sits three points behind Pittsburgh and South Florida for the fifth and final tournament spot in the American division.
The game also presented the 10 SU players suiting up for their final home game a chance to finally beat Rutgers (11-4-1, 6-2-1 Big East) after five straight defeats. Still, Syracuse couldn't muster the goal it needed.
"We had some opportunities," senior forward Crystal Rinaldi said. "We just needed to take advantage of them."
While Syracuse's offense sputtered, the Rutgers attack kept coming. At one point in the second half, the Scarlet Knights outshot the Orange 6-0 in a span of only three minutes.
Syracuse was outshot by Rutgers for the game, 14-7, and the Scarlet Knights also had five corner kicks to SU's one. Syracuse goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan had a season-high eight saves - but it wasn't enough.
"We stayed with them for the majority of the game," Rinaldi said. "The first half we surprised them with how physical we can play. …We just outhustled them to every loose ball."
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