SU Gets Shutout in Regular-Season Finale

Saturday, October 20

Syracuse, N.Y.

4:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

9-6-2

St. John's

6-10-1

St. John's

Syracuse

Seniors (left to right) Jasmine Watkins, Skylar Sabbag, Jenna Rickan, Alyscha Mottershead, Brielle Heitman, Amanda Hamilton and Rosina Callisto were honored prior to Saturday's game.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/20/2012 8:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights | Interviews

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse celebrated Senior Night with a 3-0 victory against St. John's on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange ends the regular season with a 9-6-2 overall record and a 6-3-1 mark in BIG EAST play. The nine wins are the most for Syracuse since the 2003 campaign.

The Orange's senior class of Rosina Callisto, Amanda Hamilton, Brielle Heitman, Alyscha Mottershead, Jenna Rickan, Skylar Sabbag and Jasmine Watkins were honored pregame. The group was instrumental in the victory as one member of the class played a part in each goal.

"I'm thrilled for our seniors to have a convincing win in their last home game," said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. "The senior class is my first recruiting class and they've been through the highs and lows of this journey. They have been instrumental in us reaching the post-season in back-to-back years. They have helped develop a winning mentality and winning culture."

The Orange took an early lead against the Red Storm (6-10-1, 2-7-1), scoring 1:19 into the game. Watkins played the ball across the box to the right side to freshman Erin Simon (Oakhurst, N.J.), who put her shot inside the near post for her fourth goal of the season.

Syracuse continued to be the more dangerous team and turned up the offensive pressure in the last 15 minutes of the game. After several quality scoring opportunities, the Orange broke through in the 86th minute when St. John's tried to clear the ball on an SU corner kick. Callisto took possession of the ball 20 yards out and scored on a low shot for her second goal of the season. Syracuse added to its lead less than three minutes later. Sophomore Hanna Strong (Monson, Mass.) served the ball into the box on a corner kick. Mottershead made a run into the box and scored on a header. Mottershead leads the Orange in points (12) and goals (5), both of which are career highs.

"While we didn't play our style of soccer due to the pressure St. John's was putting on us, I thought at times we looked exceptionally dangerous," Wheddon said. "We scored three great goals."

Junior goalkeeper Brittany Anghel (East Meadow, N.Y.) recorded two saves and her fifth shutout of the season. She now has 18 shutouts in her career, just two behind SU's all-time leader Eliza Bennett-Hattan (2006-09). Ellen Conway had four saves for St. John's. The Orange outshot the Red Storm, 16-6, and earned three corner kicks to one for St. John's.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Orange. Syracuse has qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament for the second consecutive year and has earned a first-round bye. The Orange, the No. 3 seed from the American Division, will play at the No. 2 seed from the American Division, Notre Dame, on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

"The win tonight gives us an emotional high going into the postseason," Wheddon said. "It was important to win this game so we have confidence going into the playoffs. I feel that the last 10 minutes of tonight's game was some of the best soccer we've played all season."