Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMSOC | With Big East out of reach, Syracuse prepares for season finale
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 10/31/08, 2:48 AM EST Section: Sports
Since August, the Syracuse men's soccer team has taken the practice field with the elusive Big East Tournament on its mind. The Orange had not made the tournament for two straight years coming into the 2008 campaign, and the team felt it had the unit to do such this year.
On Thursday, the Orange took the practice field knowing the Big East drought will continue for one more season. After losing to Villanova, 1-0, Wednesday night on a penalty kick, the SU's Big East dreams were vanquished when combined with other Big East teams' wins.
With the tournament gone, the Orange will now have to play for pride in its season finale against Louisville 8 p.m. Saturday night at SU Soccer Stadium. Syracuse (7-6-3, 3-6-1 Big East) is in last in the Big East Red Division and is tied for 14th overall in the conference.
"It's really devastating. We all knew this was one of the best teams we've ever had and it's just surprising we couldn't get in and make things happen this year," junior forward Tom Perevegyencev said. "We want to prove to ourselves and everybody who's following us that we can do it, we're not the worst team in the Big East."
Being the worst team in the Big East is something that would have never been associated with the SU squad heading into the season. The team returned seven starters from last year.
Instead, the season took a turn for the worse for Syracuse. Despite starting 5-1-2, the Orange stumbled down the stretch, losing five of its last eight games, including two games in overtime.
The biggest daggers in SU's dreams, though, happened in its last two games. Last Saturday, the Orange lost to then-last-place Cincinnati, 1-0, and suddenly was looking from the outside in for the tournament. Having spent virtually every moment of the conference season slated to make the tournament, the Orange suddenly found itself window shopping.
When Villanova's Joe Taylor beat goalkeeper Rob Cavicchia on a penalty kick Wednesday night, the Orange's worst fear had come true: Syracuse would not play in the Big East Tournament.
On Thursday, the Orange took the practice field knowing the Big East drought will continue for one more season. After losing to Villanova, 1-0, Wednesday night on a penalty kick, the SU's Big East dreams were vanquished when combined with other Big East teams' wins.
With the tournament gone, the Orange will now have to play for pride in its season finale against Louisville 8 p.m. Saturday night at SU Soccer Stadium. Syracuse (7-6-3, 3-6-1 Big East) is in last in the Big East Red Division and is tied for 14th overall in the conference.
"It's really devastating. We all knew this was one of the best teams we've ever had and it's just surprising we couldn't get in and make things happen this year," junior forward Tom Perevegyencev said. "We want to prove to ourselves and everybody who's following us that we can do it, we're not the worst team in the Big East."
Being the worst team in the Big East is something that would have never been associated with the SU squad heading into the season. The team returned seven starters from last year.
Instead, the season took a turn for the worse for Syracuse. Despite starting 5-1-2, the Orange stumbled down the stretch, losing five of its last eight games, including two games in overtime.
The biggest daggers in SU's dreams, though, happened in its last two games. Last Saturday, the Orange lost to then-last-place Cincinnati, 1-0, and suddenly was looking from the outside in for the tournament. Having spent virtually every moment of the conference season slated to make the tournament, the Orange suddenly found itself window shopping.
When Villanova's Joe Taylor beat goalkeeper Rob Cavicchia on a penalty kick Wednesday night, the Orange's worst fear had come true: Syracuse would not play in the Big East Tournament.
Be the first to comment on this story