Orange's Season Ends in National Semifinals

Friday, December 11

Kansas City, Kansas

6 p.m.

Syracuse University

16-5-4

Clemson

17-2-4

OT 4

OT 5

OT 6

Syracuse

Clemson

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

12/11/2015 10:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The No. 6 Syracuse men's soccer team's magical season came to an end in a penalty kick shootout against No. 3 Clemson in the College Cup semifinals on Friday, Dec. 11 in Kansas City. After neither team could score in regulation and two 10-minute sudden-victory overtime sessions, the Tigers won the shootout, 4-1, to advance to the national championship game.

Syracuse finishes the season with a 16-5-4 record. The 16 victories were just one shy of the school record. The Orange claimed its first ACC Championship and earned a program-best No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse made its first appearance in the Elite Eight, where it defeated Boston College, 1-0, to advance to the College Cup for the first time in program history.

"I think we're a pretty good team and I think we've had a wonderful season," said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre after the match. "I couldn't be more proud of my guys. So I want to thank them. I want to thank my staff. We've been grinding for four months. Thank you to all of the families – that's my players' families too. Finally, thank you to the whole Syracuse staff that has been here for this whole stretch."

Syracuse was the more dangerous team throughout the match, but couldn't get a shot past Clemson's All-America goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, who finished with eight saves. The Orange outshot the Tigers, 15-5, and had 10 corner kicks to six for the Clemson. When the Tigers were able to get off a shot, freshman goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert was there for the save. He finished with three and posted his sixth shutout of the season.

The Orange's best scoring chance in regulation came in the 85th minute. Junior Ben Polk got off a shot, which Tarbell saved by couldn't control. The deflection went to junior Chris Nanco, who got off a shot, but Tarbell again there for the save to keep Syracuse off the scoreboard.

Both squads had scoring chances in the overtime sessions, but couldn't convert, sending the game to a penalty kick shootout.

Clemson held a 2-0 lead in the first set of five kicks before sophomore Julian Buescher converted on his attempt to cut the deficit to one. With the Tigers holding a 3-1 advantage, Syracuse's next attempt went wide. T.J. Casner found the back of the net on his attempt to give Clemson a 4-1 advantage and send the Tigers to the national championship game.

The Orange recorded its second consecutive shutout in the match. The defense of Hilpert and junior Louis Cross and freshmen Kamal Miller and Miles Robinson recorded a combined five shutouts in ACC and NCAA Tournament play and allowed just three goals in eight matches.

Friday's game was the last for Syracuse's senior class of Brandon Albert, Trevor Alexander, Juuso Pasanen, Noah Rhynhart and Korab Syla. The group finished their careers with 56 wins, which is the highest total for any class in school history.

"I have a group of special seniors," McIntyre said. "This will be their last game for us at Syracuse. What they've accomplished over these four years has been tremendous. They came and visited us when we'd won five games in two years. They have won 56 games in their four years. It's a testament to a wonderful group of guys."