#3 Orange Return Home For Match Against Virginia

Game Details: Saturday, September 24, Syracuse, N.Y., 7 p.m.
Live Video: ACCNX
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @cuseMSOC
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Virginia Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 3 Syracuse men's soccer resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play against Virginia at the SU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, September 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match will be streaming live on ACC Network Extra.

ORANGE UPDATE:

The Orange are 7-0-1 and are the No. 3 team in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches' Poll. This is the best start to a season and highest poll ranking since 2016. Syracuse started the season 8-0-0 and reached No. 2 in the polls in 2016.

Syracuse's two-match road trip included a marquee 2-1 road win over the defending national champion and former No. 1 ranked Clemson, along with a hard fought 2-0 win over instate rival Colgate.

Nathan Opoku opened the scoring against Colgate in the 35^th minute of play. His strike partner Levonte Johnson held up play effectively to open space in the penalty area.

The second goal wouldn't arrive until the last ten minutes of action. Controlled and quick passes set up junior midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski with a solid angle to shoot outside the box. The Liverpool, New York native hit an improbable curling shot into the top right corner, doubling the Syracuse lead and securing the victory.

Syracuse kept its sixth clean sheet of the season. A backline of Abdi Salim, Buster Sjoberg, and Olu Oyegunle limited the Raiders attack, as Russell Shealy recorded two saves.

Shealy is tied for national lead in clean sheets with five. Syracuse's Goals Against Average of .250 leads the nation.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS:

Virginia enters Saturday's match with a record of 5-3-0 (1-1-0 ACC).

The Cavaliers are led by head coach George Gelnovatch, who is in his 26^th season at the helm of the Virginia men's soccer program. He holds a career record of 356-151-62. Virginia won the 2009 and 2014 national championships under his direction.

A big second half pushed Virginia to a 2-0 win in its midweek match against American. The Cavaliers outshot the Eagles 15-8, as Andy Sullins and Kome Ubogu both scored in the second frame of action.

Ubogu leads the team in goals with five. He is second in the ACC in goals scored, trailing Wake Forest's Roald Mitchell and Boston College's Stefan Siguardarson who are tied in first with six goals scored.

Virginia is second in the ACC in goals scored with 20. The Cavaliers have a +9 goal differential on the season.

THE SERIES
Saturday's match will be the eight meeting between Syracuse and Virginia. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series, 4-2-1.

Syracuse picked up a crucial conference win last season at Virginia. The Orange cruised to a 3-1 win, as Deandre Kerr scored two goals and Max Kent added the third. The victory marked Syracuse's first win in Charlottesville.

UP NEXT:
The Orange will have a six-day break before heading down to Blacksburg for a match-up with Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. The contest will be streaming live on ACCNX. Syracuse plays its next match at the SU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 4 against Cornell. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff and admission is free.

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#3 Orange Return Home For Match Against Virginia

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Players Mentioned

Levonte Johnson

Max Kent

Deandre Kerr

Jeorgio Kocevski

Nathan Opoku

Olu Oyegunle

Abdi Salim

Russell Shealy

Buster Sjoberg

Syracuse University Athletics