Orange Unbeaten Streak Snapped at No. 7 Wake Forest

Saturday, September 19

Winston-Salem, NC

7 pm

Syracuse University

3-2-1

Wake Forest

6-1-0

Syracuse

Wake Forest

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Orange Unbeaten Streak Snapped at No. 7 Wake Forest

9/19/2015 10:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Syracuse freshman Miles Robinson scored his first career goal to give the rv/-- Orange men's soccer team an early lead, but it couldn't hold on in a 3-1 setback at No. 7/12 Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 19. The loss snaps Syracuse's four-match unbeaten streak as it goes to 3-2-1 overall, 0-1-1 in ACC play.

"It was a tough loss on the road against a very good team," said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. "We had spells where we were very good, but we were exposed a couple of times. Over 90 minutes, the better team won."

For the second consecutive match, the Orange took an early lead, this time on a set piece. Sophomore Julian Buescher served a free kick into the box where Robinson headed the ball past Wake Forest goalkeeper Alex Ferrell for his first collegiate point.

The Demon Deacons (6-1-0, 2-0-0) scored the equalizer in the 18th minute when Jon Bakero found the back of the net off an assist from Michael Gamble. Wake Forest then went ahead in the 35th minute when Jack Harrison perfectly placed his shot from 25 yards out past a diving Austin Aviza, just inside the far post to give the Demon Deacons a 2-1 advantage.

The Orange was the more dangerous team to start the second half, but it couldn't take advantage of its opportunities. The Demon Deacons added an insurance goal in the 81st minute when Harrison brought the ball into the offensive zone and slid it to Gamble, who put his shot in the back of the net for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Wake Forest outshot Syracuse, 19-11, while the Orange earned four corner kicks to three for the Demon Deacons. Aviza finished with six saves for Syracuse, and Ferrell made three stops.

"We started the second half well and were pushing for the equalizer," McIntyre said. "When you push numbers forward you expose yourself on the counter attack, which is what happened on their third goal. Sometimes when you lay everything out there you can experience the bitter disappointment of defeat. In the short term, we will face a good Binghamton team (on Tuesday) that is having a good season with a short turnaround."

Syracuse returns to the SU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22 to take on Central New York foe Binghamton at 7 p.m. Admission is free of charge.