Orange To Host Wake Forest Friday

Game Details: Sept. 27; Syracuse, N.Y.; SU Soccer Stadium
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Wake Forest Links: Roster | Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse men's soccer (3-3-3, 0-1-2 ACC) will host ACC opponent Wake Forest (2-3-3, 0-1-1 ACC) on Friday night at SU Soccer Stadium. The contest, which will be live on ACC Network Extra, kicks off at 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free for all in attendance.

Friday's contest will celebrate the program's Student Night. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive Syracuse Soccer rally towels.

'Cuse Update
Syracuse was edged by a Cornell team that has been receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll on Tuesday of this week (Sept. 24). The game was deadlocked at 0-0 through 85 minutes of player, but the Big Red found the back of the net to take a 1-0 win back to Ithaca.

Defender Sam Layton has played a key role on the SU back line this campaign, starting and going the distance in each of the Orange's nine games. The captain is a huge factor in Syracuse allowing teams to score just one goal per game against the Orange.

Gabe Threadgold, who put together a three-point performance against Canisius (Sept. 20) currently leads 'Cuse in points with six through nine contests. Daniel Burko, Nicholas Kaloukian, and Chimere Omeze are all tied for the second-most points on the squad with four apiece.

Burko Tabbed ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Burko, a forward from Lovenstad, Norway, was named ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The senior earned the distinction after a breakout week for 'Cuse where he net goals in back-to-back games against Canisius (Sept. 17) and Louisville (Sept. 20).

Following his performance at home against the Golden Griffins, Burko has earned a spot in the starting lineup in two-consecutive contests against the Cardinals and the Big Red.

Burko is the second Orange player to earn ACC weekly honors this season, with goalkeeper Tomas Hut earning Defensive Player of the Week on August 27.

Scouting the Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is searching for both its first ACC and road victories on Friday night in Central New York. The team's two wins this campaign have come at home over Central Arkansas (Aug. 25) and Radford (Sept. 9).

The Demon Deacons are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Clemson Tigers on Friday, Sept. 20. The difference between the two sides was a 53rd-minute penalty kick goal for the Tigers. Following the goal, Wake Forest logged seven more shots in an attempt to equalize but were unable to earn points on the road.

Wake Forest has been strong in creating scoring opportunities this season, taking 157 shots through eight games, however it has only found the back of the net nine times. Senior Babacar Niang leads the squad with four goals, including a brace in the win over Central Arkansas.

Series History
Friday's game will be the 12^th all-time between Syracuse and Wake Forest and the third-consecutive match at SU Soccer Stadium. The teams have matched up five times in Central New York and six times in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Aside from three draws in the series, the visiting team has never been able to snag a win on the road over the home side, meaning that the Orange hold back-to-back wins over the Demon Deacons in the series' two most recent contests in 2022 and 2023.

All time, Wake Forest holds a 5-3 advantage in wins over 'Cuse.

Up Next
Syracuse hits the road for a nonconference matchup with the Albany Great Danes on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be live on ESPN+.

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's soccer, follow us on Facebook (/cusemsoc), Twitter (@CuseMSOC) and Instagram (@cusemsoc).

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Daniel Burko

Tomas Hut

Nicholas Kaloukian

Sam Layton

Chimere Omeze

Gabe Threadgold

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