Orange Dominate in 2-0 Win at Hartford

Tuesday, October 18

West Hartford, CT

7 pm

Syracuse University

10-3-1

Hartford

5-7-3

Syracuse

Hartford

The Orange celebrate their go-ahead goal against Hofstra.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/18/2016 9:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

HARTFORD, Conn. – Freshmen John-Austin Ricks and Mo Adams each scored their first career goals to lead the No. 6 Syracuse men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory at Hartford on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The win in their final non-conference match of the season improves the Orange's record to 10-3-1. It marks the fifth consecutive year Syracuse has reached double figures in victories.

The Orange dominated throughout the match, allowing the Hawks (5-7-3) just one shot that came in the 66th minute. Syracuse had 10 corner kicks, all in the first half.

"It was an excellent performance from the first whistle," Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said. "It was a tough game in a tough place to play as they had their biggest crowd ever. Our guys were outstanding."

The Orange were the aggressors from the start of the match, earning a pair of corner kicks in the first 3:15 of action. Syracuse tried to take the lead in the 11th minute when sophomore Kamal Miller's cross was deflected into the box and went off the crossbar. Sophomore Miles Robinson got off a shot off the rebound but it went just wide.

Syracuse continued to apply pressure and earned a corner when senior Louis Cross served the ball on a dangerous pass, forcing the Hartford defender to clear it. A scrum in front of the goal led to Ricks' header that gave the Orange a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute.

The second half was again played mostly in Syracuse's offensive end as the Orange outshot Hartford, 5-1, after intermission. Adams added to Syracuse's lead in the 55th minute when he scored from 30 yards out for the 2-0 final.

"We were dominating the first half but it was important to get something tangible for our efforts so (Ricks') goal came at the right time," McIntyre said. "Then we were able to build on that in the second half. Mo scored on a wonderful strike for our second goal and we were able to manage the rest of the game."

Syracuse returns to ACC play on Friday, Oct. 21 when it takes on No. 8 Clemson in South Carolina at 7 p.m. The match will be televised on ESPNU.