Stanford men’s soccer team secured a 3-2 win over Syracuse on Saturday evening in Syracuse, New York. The Cardinal, ranked No. 8, scored two goals in the final ten minutes to overturn a late deficit.
This match marked the first-ever meeting between Stanford and Syracuse. With this result, Stanford improves to 6-1-0 overall and records its first conference victory of the season. Syracuse remains without a home win this year, holding a 2-3-2 record after losing a late lead.
“Tonight was just an exhilarating game of soccer,” said Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer. “I think a lot of teams would fold after the circumstances we faced tonight, but it was remarkable to see how strong our players looked and how determined they were to get back into the game.”
Syracuse took an early lead in the tenth minute when Kristjan Fortier scored from close range following his own blocked shot. Stanford responded with several attacks but could not convert until Zach Bohane equalized from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after a handball by Tim Noeding.
Stanford appeared to score again moments later through Tomo Allen, but his goal was disallowed for offside. In the second half, both teams created chances, and Allen had another header ruled offside in the 67th minute.
Fletcher Bank set up Shane De Flores for a potential go-ahead goal in the 71st minute, but an Orange defender cleared it off the line. Shortly afterward, Chimere Omeze put Syracuse ahead in the 76th minute with a close-range finish.
Stanford leveled again as Fletcher Bank scored after breaking through two defenders. The comeback was completed in the 86th minute when Trevor Islam converted on a rebound for his second goal in as many games.
Syracuse pressed for another equalizer but did not score before time expired.
“Tonight, we can be really proud of how our team came back,” Gunn added. “We overcame two deficits and really finished off the game in tremendous fashion.”
Statistically, Syracuse led with eleven shots compared to Stanford’s eight; however, Stanford managed five shots on target versus two from Syracuse and also earned ten corner kicks to four by their opponents.
Stanford will play at San Jose State on September 17 before hosting Virginia Tech on September 21.
