Spring Break
The Daily OrangeHope for Big East berth still alive for men's soccer team
By Andrew L. John
Posted: 10/15/09, 9:57 PM EST Section: Sports
Entering the weekend, the Syracuse men's soccer team finds itself in a rather unusual position: a 2-11 record, yet still with a legitimate chance to make the postseason.
In the remaining three weeks left in the regular season, the Orange will face off against Big East opponents South Florida, DePaul, St. John's and Cincinnati with an eye toward a goal it has maintained all season long.
And despite its record, SU is still in contention for a berth in the conference tournament, as it has not been mathematically eliminated from the postseason picture.
"It hasn't been the good season that we wanted up until point," senior defender and co-captain Pete Hill said. "But there's still the potential to make the Big East tournament, which was our ultimate goal at the start of the season.
"We've had to cross off some goals already that we haven't accomplished, but that one is still on the table."
But the Orange (2-11, 1-6 Big East) will have to find a way to defeat No. 12 South Florida (8-2-2, 3-2-2) Saturday at SU Soccer Stadium for that potential to turn into reality.
"I really think we're going to be real prepared for this game," redshirt freshman goalie Ryan Jones said. "It's a ranked team that plays good soccer, and we're hoping if we can knock off an opponent like this that it will help us finish out the season strong."
Though the Orange is currently sitting at the bottom of the Big East's Red Division, a win this weekend would dramatically shake things up. If SU were to find a way to win at least two of its final four conference games, the odds of making the tournament then become somewhat realistic.
The top six teams from the Red Division will make the tournament, with an additional six coming from the conference's Blue Division.
"We're still playing for something," Hill said. "It makes it more exciting to go out and play knowing that if we can get our stuff together, then we can play for the Big East championship instead of just trying to win the last five games for something that doesn't really matter."
In the remaining three weeks left in the regular season, the Orange will face off against Big East opponents South Florida, DePaul, St. John's and Cincinnati with an eye toward a goal it has maintained all season long.
And despite its record, SU is still in contention for a berth in the conference tournament, as it has not been mathematically eliminated from the postseason picture.
"It hasn't been the good season that we wanted up until point," senior defender and co-captain Pete Hill said. "But there's still the potential to make the Big East tournament, which was our ultimate goal at the start of the season.
"We've had to cross off some goals already that we haven't accomplished, but that one is still on the table."
But the Orange (2-11, 1-6 Big East) will have to find a way to defeat No. 12 South Florida (8-2-2, 3-2-2) Saturday at SU Soccer Stadium for that potential to turn into reality.
"I really think we're going to be real prepared for this game," redshirt freshman goalie Ryan Jones said. "It's a ranked team that plays good soccer, and we're hoping if we can knock off an opponent like this that it will help us finish out the season strong."
Though the Orange is currently sitting at the bottom of the Big East's Red Division, a win this weekend would dramatically shake things up. If SU were to find a way to win at least two of its final four conference games, the odds of making the tournament then become somewhat realistic.
The top six teams from the Red Division will make the tournament, with an additional six coming from the conference's Blue Division.
"We're still playing for something," Hill said. "It makes it more exciting to go out and play knowing that if we can get our stuff together, then we can play for the Big East championship instead of just trying to win the last five games for something that doesn't really matter."
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