Syracuse University
Fordham
Romagnuolo's Goal Lifts SU Past Fordham
9/4/2009 9:34:07 PM | Women's Soccer
BRONX, N.Y. – Freshman Tina Romagnuolo scored her fourth goal of the season in the 76th minute to give the Syracuse women's soccer squad a 1-0 victory at Fordham on Friday, Sept. 4. The win is the first of the season for the Orange, improving its record to 1-2-1, while Fordham goes to 0-3-1.
Senior goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan recorded three saves for her first shutout of the season, increasing her school-record total to 17.
“We fought for a full 90 minutes in a tough, physical game,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We showed discipline and character in a tough environment and found a way to win.”
Romagnuolo's goal came on the counter attack late in the second half. She took a long pass from fellow freshman Laura Jackson and, despite being closely defended, got off a shot from 20 yards out that sailed past Rams' goalkeeper Rachel Suther for the only goal the Orange would need. Jackson was credited with an assist on the play, the first of her career.
Romagnuolo has accounted for every goal this season for the Orange and leads the team in scoring with eight points.
“We've been creating opportunities,” Wheddon said. “Unfortunately we've been without Megan Bellingham so we needed someone to step up, and Tina has done that. “
The final statistics for both teams were nearly identical. Both teams recorded six shots, while Fordham had three corner kicks to two for the Orange. Suther made two saves for the Rams.
The win is the Orange's first away from the SU Soccer Stadium since October 2007. Syracuse was 0-7 in road games last season. SU will play nine consecutive games on the road this season before its home opener on Sept. 24. It's the longest stretch of away games for the Orange in school history.
“We didn't play well on the road last season so we had to get that monkey off our back,” Wheddon said. “We did that tonight.”
Syracuse is back in action on Sunday when it plays at Binghamton at 1 p.m.
