No. 15 Orange Opens Season with Pair of Road Matches

Syracuse at Hofstra
Game Details	Friday, Aug. 28 \| Hempstead, N.Y. \| 7 p.m.
Game Coverage	Audio \| Video Twitter: @cuse \| @SUMensSoccer \| Live Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Hofstra Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse at Bucknell
Game Details	Sunday, Aug. 30 \| Lewisburg, Pa. \| 7 p.m.
Game Coverage	Audio \| Video Twitter: @cuse \| @SUMensSoccer \| Live Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Bucknell Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 15 Syracuse, coming off its most successful season in school history, opens the 2015 campaign with a pair of road matches this weekend. The Orange takes on Hofstra in the season opener on Friday, Aug. 28 in Hempstead, N.Y. before facing Bucknell on Sunday, Aug. 30 in Lewisburg, Pa. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m. starts.

SCOUTING THE ORANGE
Syracuse is coming a 2-1 come-from-behind victory in its final exhibition match at Connecticut. After the Huskies took a 1-0 lead, sophomore Julian Buescher (Duelmen, Germany) found the back of the net off an assist from junior Oyvind Alseth (Trondheim, Norway). Buescher recorded the game-winner in the 70th minute when he scored again off an assist from redshirt sophomore Kenny Lassiter (Narbeth, Pa.). Overall, the Orange posted a 2-1 record in three exhibition matches.

SCOUTING HOFSTRA
Hofstra was 10-6-3 a year ago and was picked to finish third in the CAA this season. The Pride returns 18 players from last year's squad that won a share of the league's regular-season title. Two of Hofstra's three All-CAA First Team picks - Joseph Holland and Harri Hawkins - return in 2015. Holland, a midfielder, led the CAA in assists last season. Hawkins leads a group of experienced defenders in the back. Coach Richard Nuttall is in his 27th year at the helm of the Hofstra program.

SCOUTING BUCKNELL
Bucknell finished last season with a 10-10-3 record. The Bison open the season Friday against La Salle. Four Bucknell players were chosen for the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, including forward Jesse Klug, midfielder Chris Thorsheim, fullback Zack Rockmore and goalkeeper Clarke Fox. Coach Brendan Nash is in his 17th year at the helm of the Bucknell program.

SERIES HISTORY
Friday's match will be the first all-time meeting between Syracuse and Hofstra. The Orange and Bucknell will meet for the eighth time on Sunday. The Orange holds a 4-2-1 advantage in the series. Syracuse defeated Bucknell, 4-1, at the SU Soccer Stadium in 2014.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse makes its home debut on Friday, Sept. 4 against UC Riverside at 2 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. It is the first round of the Central New York Classic. The Orange will face Rutgers on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.