Syracuse Opens 2019 with 1-0 Victory over Colgate

Sunday, August 25

Syracuse, NY

7 PM

Syracuse University

0-0-0, 0-0-0

Colgate

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Colgate

Syracuse

Meghan Root embraces Laurel Ness after Ness' 67th minute goal that put Syracuse ahead 1-0 over Colgate on Sunday.

Syracuse Opens 2019 with 1-0 Victory over Colgate

8/25/2019 11:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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SYRACUSE — The Syracuse women's soccer team opened the 2019 season with a 1-0 victory over Colgate at the SU Soccer Stadium on Sunday night. Redshirt sophomore Laurel Ness scored the game-winning goal off an assist from junior Mackenzie Vlachos halfway through the second half. The goal was Ness's first of her career and lifted the Orange to their first home-opening victory since 2016 when they shutout Delaware, 2-0. The victory was also first-year head coach Nicky Adams' first win at Syracuse.

"I've been waiting on this goal for two years now and I was really excited," Ness said. "We all knew the goal was coming, we just didn't know who it was going to come from. Everybody was on the same page tonight."

Syracuse's victory was a total team effort tonight, and senior Sydney Brackett, who put up five shots, was pleased with the team's result.

"Everyone did what they needed to and that's why we won tonight. It was completely a collective effort," Brackett said. "It makes me so excited because if we can do that today, tomorrow or Thursday, then we can do that in ACC play. Everybody contributed equally and we had the most amazing support and strategy from our staff which is incredible. I'm excited and happy and ready to keep moving forward."

How it happened
'Cuse was off and running from the first whistle as the team worked to wear down the Raiders' back line from deep run-ins from senior Georgia Allen and Brackett. The offensively-minded Orange put up 10 shots in the opening 45 minutes and forced Colgate's Kelly Chiavaro to make four saves before the half ended.

The second half picked up right where the first left off. Syracuse put up five shots in the first 22 minutes before Vlachos was able to feed a wide-open Ness near the top of the box. Ness settled the ball and fired a laser to the left side of Chiavaro to put the Orange up 1-0 in the 67th minute. The goal would prove to be all that was needed as Syracuse completely shut down the Raiders' attack, limiting them to just two shots in the final half, and left the pitch with the first victory of 2019.

Up Next
The Orange have a few days off before they return to the field. Syracuse hosts Siena on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium.

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