Vigna Leads Orange in Tie at Drexel

Sunday, September 14

Philadelphia, PA

1:00 pm

Syracuse University

3-2-3

Drexel

1-5-1

OT 3

OT 4

Syracuse

Drexel

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/14/2014 4:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Jessica Vigna posts a career-high three points in the victory.

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Freshman Jessica Vigna scored her first career goal and had an assist in Syracuse's 2-2 tie at Drexel on Sunday, Sept. 14. The Orange is now 3-2-3, while the Dragons are 1-5-1.

The Orange took the early lead on Vigna's first career goal in the 22nd minute. She then helped add to the Syracuse lead when she assisted on junior Maya Pitts' goal in the 30th minute. Pitts' play stood out as she helped settle the team in the opening minutes and applied offensive pressure and was able to get behind the Drexel defense. Sophomore goalkeeper MacKenzie Moranz recorded three saves in the first half as the Orange took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Dragons came back after intermission. Lauren Stollar found the lower left corner of the goal with a shot off a corner kick by Megan Hammaker in the 49th minute. Three minutes later Stollar tied the score with her second goal of the match. The Orange became more dangerous as the second half progressed and dominated the remainder of the game, limiting Drexel to few quality scoring opportunities. Syracuse had a chance to net the game winner in the final minutes of regulation. Junior Jackie Firenze hit the crossbar with a shot in the 87th minute before Drexel goalkeeper Kelsie Fye stopped sophomore's Emma Firenze's shot in the 88th minute to force overtime.

The Orange was the more dangerous team to start the first extra session as it earned a corner kick and got off two shots in the first three minutes. SU outshot Drexel, 4-1, but couldn't take advantage of its opportunities. In the second overtime, the Orange outshot Drexel, 3-0, but couldn't find the back of the net as the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Syracuse finished with 19 shots and three corners, while the Dragons had 13 shots and six corner kicks. Moranz recorded five saves, while Fye finished with 12.

"We came out in the first half and were focused and created some good chances," said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. "After the first 10 to 12 minutes we settled down and played and were comfortable going into halftime. We talked at halftime about not letting Drexel back in the game. We gave up a couple of corners and didn't mark on their set pieces and gave up two goals. We made a couple of changes to the way we played and we dominated the rest of the game and overtime. We just didn't really test their goalkeeper. It comes down to being more dangerous in front of the goal. We have to continue to address this because the ACC is far less forgiving."

Syracuse begins ACC play on Friday, Sept. 19 at Louisville at 7 p.m.