No. 7 Orange Use Second-Half Equalizer to Draw Charlotte

Thursday, August 29

8:00 PM

Syracuse University

2-0-1, 0-0-0

Charlotte

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Charlotte

Syracuse

No. 7 Orange Use Second-Half Equalizer to Draw Charlotte

8/29/2024 11:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Down 2-1 at halftime, Kristjan Fortier used a 70^th-minute equalizer to help the No. 7 Syracuse men's soccer team (2-0-1) earn a draw with the Charlotte 49ers (1-0-1) on Thursday night at SU Soccer Stadium.

"I'm very proud of the guys," said head coach Ian McIntyre, "We played a good team, (it was) a test. This is exactly what we needed; I think this will get us better for the rest of the year."

"We scheduled this game for a reason; Charlotte held up its end of the bargain and pushed us. In the second half, I thought we really took the game to them and scored the goal. We had opportunities to win, we just couldn't quite get the back of the net."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Nicholas Kaloukian opened the scoring for Syracuse on the first shot of the contest in the 5^th minute. The junior forward redirected a ball from Gabe Threadgold with his heel that went past a Charlotte defender and into the back of the net.

Charlotte did not take long to respond, however, scoring just eight minutes later on a deflected save by Tomas Hut.

The 49ers took a one-goal lead into halftime after scoring from outside the box with just over a minute to play in the first half.

Facing a deficit coming out of the break, the Orange came out firing on offense, taking the first 10 shots of the second half.

Fortier's leveler came in the 70th minute, as the freshman received a ball from Michael Acquah and sent a strike from outside the box to the back of the net.

'Cuse dominated the second half on both sides of the ball, outshooting Charlotte, 10-1, but could not come up with a game-winning goal.

When the clock hit zero, the Orange came away with a 2-2 draw.

OF NOTE:

Fortier's goal is the first of his collegiate career. It also came on the first shot he has taken this season.
Threadgold recorded his first assist in a 'Cuse kit.
Kaloukian's goal ties him with Chimere Omeze for the team-high in goals with two.
Acquah earned his second assist of the campaign on the equalizer.
After giving up eight shots, including two goals, in the first half, the Orange backline conceded just one score attempt in the second frame.
The Orange outshot the Niners, 14-9, marking the third-straight game they have edged their opponent in the stat category.
Hut, Omeze, Andre Cutler-DeJesus, Sam Layton, and Elton Chifamba all went the distance in the draw.
Syracuse and Charlotte draw in the first lifetime match between programs.
'Cuse's unbeaten streak extends to three games to start the slate.

UP NEXT:
Syracuse concludes its three-match homestand on Monday, Sept. 2, when it faces Le Moyne. The game will begin at 7 p.m., and parking and admission are free for all in attendance.

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