Syracuse, Indiana Face-Off in NCAA National Championship Match

Game Details: Monday, December 12, Cary, N.C., 6 p.m.
Live Video: ESPNU
Live Coverage: Stats I NCAA Tournament Central
Twitter: @cuseMSOC
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Indiana Links: Roster | Schedule

CARY, N.C. – Syracuse men's soccer will play for a NCAA National Championship for the first time in school history, taking on No. 13 seed Indiana in the College Cup Final on Monday, Dec. 12 in Cary, N.C. at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kick off and fans can watch every second of the national championship match on ESPNU.

ORANGE UPDATE:

Syracuse enters the national championship match with a 18-2-4 record, breaking a 40-year old program single-season wins record. The Orange look to win the first national title in program history. The 2022 team's +30-goal difference is the best in Ian McIntyre's tenure. Syracuse also looks to become just the fourth team in ACC history to win its division, conference tournament, and national championship in a single-season. Virginia was the first in 1992.

The College Cup Semifinal was an enthralling scoring showcase, as an 86th minute goal from Levonte Johnson lifted Syracuse past Creighton in a 3-2 win. Curt Calov found defender Christian Curti in the 37th minute, as Curti's first goal of the season came at a perfect time. Creighton pulled level in the 50th minute with a Duncan McGuire goal. Nathan Opoku pushed 'Cuse in front again just a minute later before Creighton responded with a 64th minute equalizer. Johnson sent Syracuse to the national championship match in the 86th minute, as Opoku was credited with the assist. Syracuse finished with a season-high seven saves, as Russell Shealy stopped six shots, tying a season-high.

Syracuse's first pair of All-Americans since 1932, Johnson and Opoku have brought the Orange to a new level of success with their exciting attacking play. The forward duo has combined for 21 goals, 13 assists and 55 points. They are the highest scoring Syracuse attacking duo since Ryan Raposo and Massimo Ferrin scored a combined 60 points. Johnson and Opoku are the first two players to hit double-digit goals in a season in McIntyre's tenure.

The defense, anchored by centerbacks Abdi Salim, Christian Curti and Olu Oyegunle, have stifled opposing sides all season. The Orange have posted a 0.68 goals-against average, the best mark since the 2016 season. Syracuse has kept 11 shutouts this season, tied for fifth in the nation.

Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Russell Shealy looks to add a national championship trophy to his career season. Shealy has posted career highs in saves (69), save percentage (.812), shutouts (10) and goals against average (0.68). The Cartersville, Georgia native earned All-ACC Second Team and ACC Tournament MVP honors earlier this season.

SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS:

Indiana is 14-4-6 on the season and the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Championship. The Hoosiers advance to the national championship game for a second time in the last three years, losing to Marshall in the 2020-21 College Cup Final. Indiana is led by 12th-year head coach Todd Yeagley. The former four-time All-American student-athlete has a 164-56-41 record at his alma mater.

The Hoosiers blanked Pittsburgh 2-0 in the College Cup Semifinal. Ryan Wittenbrink opened the scoring in the 14th minute, while Tommy Mihalic added a second goal right before the first half ended. Indiana beat No. 20 seed St. Louis, Marshall, and No. 12 UNC-Greensboro in the leadup to the 2022 College Cup.

Wittenbrink, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, leads Indiana in goals (10), assists (9) and points (29). The Hoosiers have not allowed a goal in the NCAA Tournament. Indiana has won eight national championships, the last coming in 2012.

THE SERIES:

The NCAA National Championship showdown represents the first-ever meeting between Indiana and Syracuse.

Syracuse, Indiana Face-Off in NCAA National Championship Match

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Players Mentioned

Curt Calov

Christian Curti

Levonte Johnson

Nathan Opoku

Olu Oyegunle

Abdi Salim

Russell Shealy

Syracuse University Athletics