#4 Syracuse at NC State For Road Finale

Game Details: Saturday, October 22, Raleigh, N.C., 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuseMSOC
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
NC State Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse hits the road for the final time in the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 22 for a 7 p.m. match against NC State. Fans can catch the contest on ACCNX. The Orange sit atop the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division standings. A win against the Wolfpack would clinch the division title.

'Cuse is 5-0-1 away from the SU Soccer Stadium this season. They have a +12-road goal difference, which ranks first in the ACC. A win or a draw against NC State would secure the first undefeated record on the road in Ian McIntyre's tenure.

ORANGE UPDATE:

The Orange are 12-2-1 on the season and No. 4 in the latest United Soccer Coaches' Poll. The 12 victories match the most wins in a season since 2016. 'Cuse finished with a 7-1-1 record against nonconference foes in the 2022 regular season. The 12 wins are tied for the most in Division I. McIntyre's squad has a +23-goal difference, which ranks second in the ACC behind Wake Forest.

Levonte Johnson and Nathan Opoku are a dynamic and exciting attacking duo. Opoku leads the squad in goals with eight, while Johnson leads Syracuse in assists with six. Both forwards are tied for the conference lead in points with 20. Opoku is tied for second in the ACC in goals.

Veteran keeper Russell Shealy is one of the ACC's best goalies. The Cartersville, Georgia native ranks second in the ACC in shutouts (7), saves (44), and goals against average (0.57). Shealy leads one of the best defensive units in the country. The Orange rank fourth in the nation in clean sheets (8) and sixth in goals against average (.533).

After going 1-4 against ranked opponents in 2021, Syracuse is 5-1 against top-25 teams this season. The Orange secured two significant results earlier this season, beating former No. 1 ranked Clemson and former No. 4 Wake Forest. The Orange are No. 1 in the latest RPI poll.

There are currently five fall sports teams ranked on Syracuse's campus, the most teams concurrently ranked in the fall in school history. Field hockey (No. 12), football (No. 14) women's cross country (No. 15), and men's cross country (No. 16) are the other four teams ranked beside the men's soccer program.

LAST TIME OUT:

A brace from Johnson powered Syracuse past Bucknell in a 2-1 victory. The Orange have won four-straight matches. The Brampton, Ontario native opened the scoring in the ninth minute, as Jackson Glenn guided the senior toward the goal with a diagonal cross from the Syracuse defensive half. Bucknell leveled the score in the 12th minute with a strike from Charlie Holmes.

Syracuse regained the lead in the 64th minute with Johnson's second goal of the evening. Johnson now has seven goals on the season and set a new career high in goals in a single game. Glenn made his first career start and tallied his first assist.

The Orange took 29 shots compared to the Bison's eight. 'Cuse recorded 15 shots on target, a new single-match high in 2022.

SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK:

NC State is 5-5-3 on the season with a 1-4-1 record in conference play. The Wolfpack are 5-2-1 on their home turf, Dail Soccer Field, this season.

Head coach George Kiefer is in his sixth season at NC State. The former USF head coach has a 42-41-19 record during his time at Raleigh and led the Wolfpack to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2017-2019.

In its last time out, NC State beat William & Mary 2-1 thanks to a late goal from sophomore forward Luke Hille. Connor Kelly opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his seventh goal of the season. William & Mary equalized in the 17th minute after Jack Crocco found the back of the net. Hille secured the victory with a strike in the 87th minute.

Kelly, a fifth-year forward, leads the team in goals with seven and points with 16.

THE SERIES:

Saturday night's match represents the 13th meeting between Syracuse and NC State. The Orange lead the all-time series, 5-3-4. The last time 'Cuse beat the Wolfpack was in 2019. The two sides first squared off in 1991.

Last season's match ended in a scoreless draw. Syracuse took 18 shots compared to the Wolfpack's six. NC State played the last 15 minutes of regulation and both overtime periods with ten men after Ivy Brisma was sent off.

UP NEXT:

Syracuse will conclude the 2022 regular season on Friday, Oct. 28th at 7 p.m. against Boston College. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to arrive early for Senior Night celebrations. The match will be streamed live on ACCNX.

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Players Mentioned

Jackson Glenn

Levonte Johnson

Nathan Opoku

Russell Shealy

Syracuse University Athletics