#7 Orange, Loyola Meet For Monday Night Matchup

Game Details: Monday, October 10, Syracuse, N.Y., 6 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuseMSOC
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Loyola Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 7 Syracuse men's soccer concludes its three match homestand against nonconference opponent Loyola on Monday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Admission to the SU Soccer Stadium is free and the contest is streaming on ACCNX.

'CUSE UPDATE:

Syracuse is 9-2-1 on the season, which matches the best record through 12 games since 2014. The nine victories are the most in a season since 2016. 'Cuse sits atop of the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic division table and is two points clear of second place Louisville.

The Orange were excellent in a 2-0 statement win against #4 Wake Forest last time out. Syracuse kept a clean sheet against the nation's highest scoring side, as the Orange defense of keeper Russell Shealy and centerbacks Abdi Salim, Buster Sjoberg and Christian Curti contained Wake Forest's acclaimed attacking duo of Roald Mitchell and Baba Niang. The Demon Deacons were shutout for the first time in the 2022 season. 'Cuse outshot the visitors 18-10, and Shealy recorded five saves, just one shy of matching his single-match high.

Senior forward Levonte Johnson won a penalty in the 13^th minute of action. Junior midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski converted the shot from the spot, putting 'Cuse up by one. Syracuse doubled its advantage in the 24^th minute. Curti sent a quick cross into the box and a Wake Forest defender headed the ball into the back of the net for an own goal.

After allowing multiple goals for the first time this season against No. 22 Cornell in a 1-2 loss, the Syracuse defense rediscovered its form against the conference's best attack. The Orange lead the ACC in clean sheets (8) and are tied for the conference lead in goals allowed (5) with Duke.

BIG TIME MOMENTS:

The Orange are 4-1 against ranked opponents in the 2022 season. That mark is a huge turnaround from last season, when 'Cuse went 1-4 against top-25 sides.

'Cuse are also 2-0 against teams ranked in the top-5 of the United Soccer Coaches' poll. Before this season, Syracuse had not registered multiple victories over top-5 teams in a single season.

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS:

Loyola is 4-3-4 (2-1-2 Patriot) on the season. Steve Nichols is in his ninth season as head coach of his alma mater with a record of 65-55-22. He led the Greyhounds to a Patriot League title and NCAA tournament appearance last season.

The Greyhounds won their last match 2-1 against Holy Cross on Saturday. Two first half goals from Matthew Lala and Thomas Grey made the difference.

Lala and Kelan Swales are tied for the team lead in goals (3). Swales leads the team in assists (5) and points (11).

Loyola is tied for second in the Patriot League in goals against average (.910) and goals allowed (10).

THE SERIES:

Monday night's match is the seventh meeting between Syracuse and Loyola. The series is tied at 3-3-0. The two sides first met in 1985.

Loyola won the last meeting in the 2009 Mayor's Cup in Oneonta, N.Y. After 104 minutes of scoreless action, the Greyhounds won the match with a golden goal from Jamie Darvill.

UP NEXT:

The Orange are back on the road on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. for another major ACC match against No. 11 Louisville. Syracuse is back at the SU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. for a nonconference showdown against Bucknell. Both games will be streaming live on ACCNX.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Christian Curti

Levonte Johnson

Jeorgio Kocevski

Abdi Salim

Russell Shealy

Buster Sjoberg

Syracuse University Athletics