Syracuse University
#21/15 Rutgers
Orange Edged by No. 21/15 Rutgers, 1-0
10/19/2008 4:43:28 PM | Women's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse closed its regular-season home slate with a 1-0 loss to No. 21/15 Rutgers on Sunday, Oct. 19. The Orange won five games at the SU Soccer Stadium this season, its most home wins since the 2004 campaign.
The Scarlet Knights (11-4-1, 6-2-1) scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute. After a Syracuse (5-9-2, 2-6-1) foul, Rutgers played the ball into the box where Alicia Hall’s header bounced off the crossbar. The rebound went to Kristie Lang, who found the back of the net for the game-winner.
“We had our opportunities but we had to remain focused,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We knew how they were going to play. The only opportunities they were getting were really off set pieces. We knew we were able to match them in every department. Unfortunately we didn’t match them on the set piece where they scored.”
Syracuse goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan recorded a season-high eight saves in the contest, including one on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute that at the time preserved a 0-0 tie. The Orange finished with seven shots and one corner, while Rutgers had 14 shots and five corners. Scarlet Knights’ goalkeeper Erin Guthrie made four saves in the shutout.
Prior to the game Syracuse honored 10 members of the squad that were playing in their final regular-season home match, including Amanda Arcuri, Karrah Benson, Emily Bush, Lauren Cappelli, Sara Grimsgaard, Kristen Hamill, Katie Peck, Crystal Rinaldi, Sarah VanSickle and Amy Ware.
“It was a huge day for the seniors and for the whole team,” said first Wheddon, who is in his first season with Orange. “I wish that I had the opportunity to work with the seniors for longer because they are a great bunch of young ladies.”
The Orange plays its final regular-season contests next weekend on the road. Syracuse plays at Connecticut on Friday at 7 p.m. and at Providence on Sunday at 1 p.m.
