Syracuse University
#8 Notre Dame
SU Continues Home Unbeaten Streak
10/2/2003 10:26:57 PM | Men's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse men's soccer team extended its home-unbeaten streak to four games with a 1-1 tie versus eighth-ranked Notre Dame at the SU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, October 2. The Orangemen are now 2-5-3 overall and 0-2-2 in the BIG EAST, while the Fighting Irish now stand at 6-1-2 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play.
The Orangemen trailed 1-0 in the 77th minute, but SU was able to convert on a penalty kick by sophomore midfielder Ilias Calaitzidis after sophomore forward Jeff Evans was taken down in the box. Calaitzidis slotted the ball in the bottom left corner of the net to beat the Notre Dame keeper and tie the game. It was his third goal of the year, two of which have come on penalty kicks.
After a scoreless first half, Notre Dame took a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute. Chad Riley directed a free kick to the SU goal line where Jack Stewart headed off the bottom of the crossbar and in. The score was the first allowed by the Orangemen at home, snapping a string of 363:40 scoreless minutes.
Both goalkeepers snuffed out scoring chances with saves and deflected crosses throughout the game. SU keeper Alim Karim made eight saves, including six in the second half. Notre Dame's Chris Sawyer made two saves.
The tie ended the Orangemen's four-game run versus top-25 teams. Syracuse has played half of its 10 games against ranked opponents, compiling an 0-3-2 record. Both ties have come at home (#19 Seton Hall, #8 Notre Dame).
Syracuse plays its next game on Sunday, October 5 versus BIG EAST foe Virginia Tech. Kickoff at the SU Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
