Orange Shut Out Pitt, Advance to ACC Tournament Quarterfinals

Wednesday, November 2

7 pm

Syracuse University

11-3-3, 3-2-3

Pittsburgh

2-13-3, 0-6-2

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Orange Shut Out Pitt, Advance to ACC Tournament Quarterfinals

11/2/2016 10:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Senior Chris Nanco and sophomore Jonathan Hagman each scored two goals to lead No. 7-ranked Syracuse to a 4-0 victory against Pittsburgh in the first round of the ACC Men's Soccer Tournament at the SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange advance to the quarterfinals where they will face Clemson, which is No. 1 in this week's RPI, on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. in South Carolina.

"We're delighted to progress through (to the tournament quarterfinals)," said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. "The guys have worked really hard this year to earn a home game. I thought, in the first half, we were fantastic. Every win is difficult to accomplish, especially big tournament games. We came out a little bit flat second half, but after the third goal, the game really opened up."

The Orange, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, were the aggressors from the opening whistle. Nanco gave Syracuse (11-3-3) the lead in the 11th minute when he pressured a Panthers' pass back to goalkeeper Jacob Rooth. Rooth didn't control the ball and a charging Nanco deflected the ball into the left corner of the net.

"That goal typifies what Chris brings to our team," McIntyre said. "He got it because of the work ethic. He's probably scored some nicer goals, but for his confidence and the team's, there won't be many bigger than that one."

Nanco added to the lead in the 21st minute. He took the ball down the left side and crossed the ball into the box where it deflected off a Pittsburgh defender into the goal. It marked the third time Nanco has scored twice in a game in his career. He now leads the team in goals (6) and points (13).

After a delay to the start of the second half due to a power outage, the Orange successfully defended against two Pittsburgh (2-13-3) corner kicks in the first 11 minutes of play. Syracuse continued to send numbers forward and added to its lead in the 64th minute when Hagman collected a loose ball in the box and put his shot inside the near post.

Hagman found the back of the net again less than seven minutes later. The play started with a hard shot by senior Sergio Camargo that hit the crossbar. The deflection came to Hagman, who scored his fifth goal of the season and recorded his first multiple-goal game of his career as the Orange posted a season high in goals.

Syracuse outshot Pittsburgh, 18-8, and recorded six corner kicks to four for the Panthers. Syracuse goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert made two saves and posted his 10th shutout of the season, which tie him for third place on Syracuse's single-season record list.

The Orange will now face Clemson, which earned a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament, on Sunday in South Carolina. It will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The squads played to a 0-0 draw at Riggs Field on Oct. 21.