Last-Minute Goal Lifts #3 Notre Dame By #2 Syracuse

Friday, September 23

South Bend, Ind.

7 pm

Syracuse University

8-1-0, 2-1-0ACC

Notre Dame

7-1-0, 2-1-0ACC

Syracuse

Notre Dame

Miles Robinson is the Defensive MVP of the Central New York Classic.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Last-Minute Goal Lifts #3 Notre Dame By #2 Syracuse

9/23/2016 9:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame's Jon Gallagher scored with 18 seconds remaining in regulation to give the No. 3 Fighting Irish a 2-1 win over No. 2 Syracuse in men's soccer action on Friday, Sept. 23. The loss snaps Syracuse's eight-game winning streak, which was the best start in program history.

"We had our moments in the first half but it came down to a couple of errors in the last minute before halftime and the end of regulation," Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said. "I thought we were terrific in the second half. We showed heart and really took the game to Notre Dame. More importantly, we had quality on the ball. We really pushed for that goal. I thought we deserved to get something (points in the ACC standings) out of this game."

The first 20 minutes featured back and forth action between two of the top defenses in the league. Notre Dame (7-1-0, 2-1-0) was able to gain the momentum and controlled possession, putting pressure on the Orange. Syracuse continually turned the Fighting Irish away, but couldn't get the ball into its offensive third.

Notre Dame finally broke through with less than a minute to go in the first half when Evan Panken served the ball into the box where he connected with Jack Casey, who was making a run toward the goal. Casey put his shot in the back of the net for his first career goal and the Fighting Irish led 1-0 at halftime.

After Notre Dame had the first scoring opportunity after intermission, the Orange (8-1-0, 2-1-0) were the more dangerous team throughout the second half. All eight of Syracuse's corner kicks came in the second half and it was a set piece that led to Syracuse's goal. Senior Oyvind Alseth served the ball into the box where sophomore Miles Robinson knocked the ball into the net on a header in the 79th minute.

The Orange had two more corner kicks following the goal, but couldn't get off a shot on either attempt. The game-winning play started on a Notre Dame free kick around midfield. Syracuse caused a turnover just outside the box, but its clearing pass was intercepted. Gallagher took possession of the ball and worked his away around the Orange defense to get a shot off from 20 yards out that Syracuse goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert got his hands on, but couldn't stop as the ball went into the left corner of the net for the game winner.

"This was a tough challenge," McIntyre said. "Notre Dame is an elite team and this is a tough place to play. For a number of our guys, this was their first experience in an intense ACC game. We will learn a lot from this game. On another day, when we play our brand of soccer, we know we can cause elite teams problems."

Notre Dame finished the match with 14 shots and five corner kicks, while the Orange had 12 shots and eight corner kicks. Hilpert recorded three saves, and Notre Dame's Chris Hubbard had two.

Syracuse will face another top 10-ranked team on Friday, Sept. 30 when it hosts No. 9 North Carolina at the SU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.