Syracuse Battles 'Nova to 0-0 Draw
8/13/2026 9:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Junior goalkeeper Maya Naimoli made four key second-half saves and Syracuse (0-0-1) battled visiting Villanova (0-0-1) to a 0-0 draw at the SU Soccer Stadium on Thursday night. It was the season opener for both squads.
HOW THE MATCH WAS DECIDED
Naimoli, who was making her Syracuse debut, kept the game scoreless with her stellar play late in the game. She made three stops in the final 13:30 of action, including two in the last five minutes. Naimoli stopped a header from Morgan Kotch at the 76:31 mark. With Villanova pressuring again, Naimoli and Kotch came face-to-face with 4:58 remaining and the Syracuse keeper kept the Wildcats off the board. With 19 seconds left, she halted a point-blank attempt by Dez Zapata by deflecting the shot away with her left foot, preserving the draw.
ARBELAEZÂ HAS BEST LOOKS FOR ORANGE
Syracuse's top scoring tries came off the foot of sophomore Julia Arbelaez. The first came 8:55 into the match and was turned away by Wildcat goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson. The second came following the intermission. Junior Anna Croyle's attempt to advance the ball was knocked away by a Villanova defender and the loose ball landed on the foot of Arbelaez, who had an open shot to the goalkeeper's left that was stopped.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Villanova had a goal disqualified in the second half, following a video review. Ryley Dixon's apparent goal was called back because of a hand ball.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
Syracuse continues its home stand at the SU Soccer Stadium when it hosts Holy Cross on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 1 p.m. Admission is free.
HOW THE MATCH WAS DECIDED
Naimoli, who was making her Syracuse debut, kept the game scoreless with her stellar play late in the game. She made three stops in the final 13:30 of action, including two in the last five minutes. Naimoli stopped a header from Morgan Kotch at the 76:31 mark. With Villanova pressuring again, Naimoli and Kotch came face-to-face with 4:58 remaining and the Syracuse keeper kept the Wildcats off the board. With 19 seconds left, she halted a point-blank attempt by Dez Zapata by deflecting the shot away with her left foot, preserving the draw.
ARBELAEZÂ HAS BEST LOOKS FOR ORANGE
Syracuse's top scoring tries came off the foot of sophomore Julia Arbelaez. The first came 8:55 into the match and was turned away by Wildcat goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson. The second came following the intermission. Junior Anna Croyle's attempt to advance the ball was knocked away by a Villanova defender and the loose ball landed on the foot of Arbelaez, who had an open shot to the goalkeeper's left that was stopped.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Villanova had a goal disqualified in the second half, following a video review. Ryley Dixon's apparent goal was called back because of a hand ball.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The contest kicked off Syracuse's 31st season of women's soccer.
- Naimoli earned the Player of the Match belt from her teammates.
- The Orange had 90-minute efforts from sophomore Bree Bridges, and juniors Anna Croyle, Naimoli and Jasmine Nixon.
- Sophomore Julia Arbelaez had four of Syracuse's five shots and both of her squad's shots on goal.
- First-time starters for the Orange included Naimoli, fifth-year player Vickie Jones, junior Farrah Stephens-Martin, and freshmen Lauren Christy and Emory Streets.
- Syracuse finished with eight corner kicks, including seven in the first half, compared to six for Villanova.
- Villanova's Hannah Dickinson finished with two saves.
- The overall series with Villanova favors the Wildcats, 6-2-2.
Syracuse continues its home stand at the SU Soccer Stadium when it hosts Holy Cross on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 1 p.m. Admission is free.
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/ Women's SoccerFriday, August 14
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Friday, October 24
