Orange Defeats Huskies in Thriller

Thursday, September 13

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

4-3-1, 1-0

rv/-- Connecticut

4-3-1, 0-1

UCONN

Syracuse

Jackie Firenze recorded her first career game-winning goal against Connecticut.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/13/2012 11:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman Jackie Firenze scored a goal with 30 seconds remaining in regulation to give Syracuse a 3-2 victory against RV/-- Connecticut in the BIG EAST opener for both teams at the SU Soccer Stadium. The win improves Syracuse's record to 4-3-1, while the Huskies also go to 4-3-1 on the season.

The game-winning play was set up when the ball went out of bounds off Connecticut in Syracuse's offensive end. Freshman Taylor Haenlin threw the ball into Firenze, whose shot from the left side went through the legs of Connecticut goalkeeper Leigh-Ann Jaggon for her first career game-winning goal.

Connecticut started the scoring in the opening minute of the game. Syracuse goalkeeper Brittany Anghel came out to play the reigning Soccer News Net's National Player of the Week Danielle Schulmann. Schulmann shot the ball over Anghel's head and it bounced into the net for her eighth goal of the season. The Orange created several scoring chances in the first half, but couldn't take advantage of them and trailed 1-0 at intermission.

Syracuse tied the score in the 62nd minute. Freshman Erin Simon served the ball into the box to senior Jenna Rickan. Rickan headed to the ball to senior Alyscha Mottershead, who then headed the ball into the goal for the equalizer. The Huskies responded 33 seconds later. Anghel came out to play the ball, but it bounced off her to Miranda Tarpey. Tarpey controlled the rebound and shot it over Anghel's head and into the back of the net to give Connecticut a 2-1 advantage.

Rickan again helped the Orange get even when she served the ball into the box from the left side. Senior Rosina Callisto controlled the ball and scored on a line drive shot for her first goal of the season in the 78th minute. Following Callisto's goal, Syracuse continued to apply the offensive pressure and created scoring chances, but couldn't convert until Firenze's heroics gave the Orange its first win against the Huskies in 18 tries.

Syracuse outshot Connecticut, 19-11, while the Huskies held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. Anghel finished with six saves. UConn's Allison Saucier made four saves before leaving the game with an injury in the 16th minute. Leigh-Ann Jaggon recorded four saves in the final 74 minutes of play.

The Orange is back on the road on Sunday, Sept. 16 when it plays at Providence at 1 p.m.