Brosnan Ties Season High in Setback at Clemson

Sunday, October 12

Clemson, SC

1:00 pm

Syracuse University

5-7-3, (2-4-0ACC)

Clemson

10-2-2, (3-2-1ACC)

Syracuse

Clemson

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/12/2014 6:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Freshman Courtney Brosnan recorded 11 saves for the second straight match.

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Syracuse allowed a goal in the 30th minute in a 1-0 setback at No. 24/-- Clemson on Sunday, Oct. 12 in a match that was delayed two hours because of weather. Freshman goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan tied her career high with 11 saves in the loss.

"It was a hard-fought contest," Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon said. "We were our own worst enemy at times. We had great periods of possession but it didn't result in any chances on goal. In the first 10-15 minutes of the game we were knocking the ball around really well. Unfortunately we were not able to sustain it."

The Tigers (10-2-2, 3-2-1 ACC) tallied the only goal of the match at the 29:22 mark on the second phase of a corner kick. Gabby Byorth didn't connect with her teammates with her serve into the box, but Claire Wagner was the first one to the ball to gain possession. She put her shot from four yards out in the back the net to give Clemson a 1-0 lead. Brosnan recorded five saves in the first half.

Clemson continued to apply offensive pressure after intermission, recording a shot 2:19 into the second half. Brosnan was there for the save, one of five she recorded in the first 25 minutes of the second half, which included back-to-back stops against Tigers' leading scorer Catrina Atanda to keep the Orange within striking distance. Syracuse was more dangerous in the final 15 minutes of play but couldn't score the equalizer. The Orange's best chance came when sophomore Stephanie Skilton got behind the Clemson defense but she was called for offsides. Syracuse earned a corner kick in the 86th minute, but sophomore Maddie Damm's shot went wide.

"Clemson is a hard, physical team with a lot of 1-0 wins. They are resilient. Other than the goal, they were limited to long-range shots that didn't really trouble Courtney, who made one big save in both the first and second halves. We defended well. We have to be mature and composed under pressure. When we were able to do that we found our rhythm. We let ourselves down in the attacking third."

Syracuse is now 5-7-3 overall and 2-4-0 in ACC action. Three of its four losses in conference play have been 1-0 decisions. The Orange returns to the SU Soccer Stadium to host No. 14/11 Notre Dame on Saturday, October 18 at 5 p.m. Admission is free of charge.