American's Early Strikes Doom Orange

Saturday, September 18

Washington, DC

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

American

Junior Nick Roydhouse scored his team-leading second goal at American Saturday.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/18/2010 6:18:53 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – American University scored twice in the game's first 20 minutes and went on to defeat the Orange by the score of 2-1 on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Reeves Field. The Eagles improved to 3-2-0 on the season, while the Orange is now 1-4-0.

The Eagles grabbed the lead in the game's seventh minute on Mike Worden's first goal of the year and extended its advantage to two ten minutes later when Alassane Kane scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Kane was on the receiving end of a re-directed corner kick taken by Jamie Davin. Eli Dennis headed the ball across and Kane buried it to put the Eagles in front, 2-0.

“We were a little sloppy in the first 20 minutes,” SU head coach #Ian McIntyre# said. “American is a very dynamic team going forward and they caused us some problems early on.”

After its slow start, Syracuse began to create some offensive chances of its own. The Orange recorded six shots in the opening half, including three on goal. The Orange also had a goal wiped away in the final minute of the period. Senior Manny Sevillano beat American goalie Matt Makowski with a shot, but the officials whistled the Orange for offsides and the Eagles maintained their two-goal advantage.

Syracuse continued to attack early in the second half and its tenacity was rewarded in the 46th minute. Orange freshman Brett Jankouskas was hauled down in the box resulting in a penalty kick. Junior Nick Roydhouse converted the chance to cut the American lead to 2-1. But that was as close as the visitors got.

“Right off the bat in the second half we put them under pressure,” McIntyre said. “The penalty kick gave us some momentum. We were just unfortunate not to get a second goal. This was probably the best game we've played in terms of putting pressure on the opposing goalkeeper."

The Eagles outshot the Orange, 16-11, for the match. However, the Orange regularly tested Makowksi, putting six of its 11 attempts on goal. Roydhouse paced Syracuse with five shots, four of which were on target.

SU redshirt senior goalie Jeremy Vuolo played all 90 minutes and made six saves in the contest. Makowski finished with five saves for American to earn the win.

The Orange returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 22 when it concludes its five-match road swing at Cornell. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Berman Field.

Match Notes: Roydhouse's goal was the fourth of his career … His two goals this season equals his career output in 36 matches coming into this year … Saturday's match was the first between Syracuse and American.