Corner Kicks Notebook #5

ORANGE JUMPS INTO TOP FIVE IN TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM POLL
With two more shutouts, including a 1-0 defeat of second-ranked Virginia on Sept. 27, the Orange vaulted from No. 18 to No. 5 in the latest TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25 poll, released Monday. It's the highest ranking ever for the Orange in that particular poll. In addition, the Orange climbed four spots (from No. 20 to No. 16) in this week's College Soccer News Top 30 rankings.

Polls: TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25 | College Soccer News Top 30

'CUSE GRABBING NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Following its victory over the Cavaliers, Syracuse was featured in the Sept. 29 edition of Soccer America's College Soccer Reporter daily update. The publication praised the Orange for its emergence as a "national contender."

More: College Soccer Reporter (Sept. 29)

MURRELL + EKBLOM = GOAL
The combination of defender Jordan Murrell and forward Emil Ekblom has been a productive one for the Orange this season. Three of Murrell's team-leading four assists have come on Ekblom tallies, all of which have been game-winners. The duo combined for the deciding goal versus St. Mary's, Clemson and Binghamton.

THOMAS, BUESCHER FIND SCORING COLUMN
Skylar Thomas and Julian Buescher picked a perfect time to record their first points of the 2014 season. The two linked up in the 31st minute for the only goal in SU's 1-0 victory against No. 2 Virginia on Sept. 27 when Thomas headed home Buescher's corner-kick service. The assist was Buescher's first career point.

BONO'S STREAKING AGAIN
Junior keeper Alex Bono started 2014 with the second-longest shutout streak in school history at 434:05 without conceding a goal. Now Bono and the Orange defense are at it again. Bono has a current stretch of 375:55 in which he has not been scored upon. It dates back to the second half of the Notre Dame match on Sept. 13.

THEY SAID IT
"We've been working on that all week, all year actually, probably my whole college career … working on crossing and finishing and hopefully I finally got it down."

Skylar Thomas
On his game-winning goal against No. 2 Virginia

FROM THE TWITTERVERSE
Jeff Kulikowsky @jkool9
Attended 1st @SUMensSoccer game last night. Awesome. Huge crowd, great play, big upset, all for free. Treat yourself before the season ends.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Alex Bono

Julian Buescher

Emil Ekblom

Jordan Murrell

Skylar Thomas

Related Videos