SU Cruises Past UMass, 3-0

Wednesday, September 25

SU Soccer Stadium

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

6-2-0

Massachusetts

0-8-1

Massachusetts

Syracuse

Juuso Pasanen scored his first career goal in the Orange's 3-0 victory against UMass.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/25/2013 9:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Score By Period	1st	2nd	Final
Massachusetts	0	0	0
Syracuse	2	1	3
Box Score \| Photos \| Highlights \| Coach McIntyre Interview Sept. 25, 2013 \| SU Soccer Stadium / Syracuse, N.Y. \| Attendance: 593

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse men's soccer team (6-2-0) scored two first-half goals and powered its way to a 3-0 victory against Massachusetts (0-8-1) on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the SU Soccer Stadium. With the victory, SU extended its winning streak to three games.

"UMass is a very honest and hardworking group," SU head coach Ian McIntyre said. "Tonight was an important step for us moving forward to realize we have to roll our sleeves up in some of these games and fully appreciate what it takes to win soccer matches."

Syracuse controlled possession from the outset, weaving around Minutemen defenders to create scoring chances. One of those opportunities occurred in the 24th minute when Chris Nanco was taken down in the box, earning a penalty kick for the Orange. Nick Perea stepped up to take the kick, however, Massachusetts goalkeeper Nick Ruiz made a diving save to keep the match scoreless.

Perea would not be denied for much longer. His header in the 31st minute off a precise corner serve by Jordan Murrell beat Ruiz to give the Orange a 1-0 advantage.

Stefanos Stamoulacatos padded the Orange lead late in the first half when he collected a deflection inside the UMass box and rifled a shot past Ruiz to make the score 2-0.

Juuso Pasanen concluded the game's scoring when he got his head on another Murrell cross. Pasanen's shot flew into the back of the net for his first career goal less than three minutes into the second half.

Syracuse outshot Massachusetts, 15-5, for the match and earned eight corner kicks to UMass' five.

Alex Bono collected two saves en route to his 14th career shutout. Ruiz finished with four saves for the Minutemen.

The Orange returns to ACC action on Saturday, Sept. 28 when it hosts Virginia at the SU Soccer Stadium. Syracuse and the Cavaliers kick off at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Match Notes: The Orange has won nine straight games against non-conference opponents … Stamoulacatos' goal was his first of the season … Bono's 14 career shutouts is tied with Charlie Wilke (1989-92) for fifth in the SU record book. He is also tied with Wilke for sixth place on the Orange's career wins list (19) … Murrell's two assists equaled his career high set against Rutgers on Oct. 3, 2012.