Men's Soccer Extends Non-Conference Unbeaten Streak; Ties Monmouth, 0-0

Thursday, September 11

SU Soccer Stadium

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

Monmouth

Robert Cavicchia tied Chris Whitcomb for second place on SU's all-time shutout list Thursday.

Men's Soccer Extends Non-Conference Unbeaten Streak; Ties Monmouth, 0-0

9/11/2008 10:31:14 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange men’s soccer team (3-0-2) extended its non-conference unbeaten streak to 19 games with a 0-0 double-overtime draw versus Monmouth (1-1-1) on Thursday, Sept. 11 at the SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange is 11-0-8 in its last 19 non-league encounters. It’s the second-longest such streak in the nation behind Wake Forest’s 32-game (30-0-2) unbeaten non-league stretch.

It was the fourth time in five games the Orange did not allow a goal, lowering its season goals-against average to 0.18.

SU senior keeper Robert Cavicchia (North York, Ontario) made five saves to earn the shutout and moved into a tie with Chris Whitcomb for second on SU’s all-time shutout list (18). Cavicchia was up to challenge early as Monmouth was the more dangerous team to open the match. He made three saves in the game’s first 20 minutes.

The Orange turned the tables after halftime and generated the majority of the offensive chances the rest of the way. SU recorded three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of the second period and earned six corners in the second half and overtime to none for Monmouth. Syracuse also posted 16 shots to just three for the Hawks after the intermission and outshot them, 18-9, for the game.

Syracuse’s best chance to score came late in the second half when a deflected ball came to junior Hansen Woodruff (Stuart, Fla.) six yards out, but his shot went over the crossbar. Classmate Kenny Caceros (Nepean, Ontario) had an opportunity earlier in the period, but Monmouth keeper Bryan Meredith made a diving save on his long-range attempt to keep the match scoreless.

“We did a much better job of keeping the ball in the second half,” SU head coach Dean Foti said. “I thought the team reacted well after not having a great start. That’s going to happen sometimes in BIG EAST games and our reaction was right. We just weren’t able to get a goal.”

Syracuse begins BIG EAST play next week. The Orange will travel to Marquette on Friday, Sept. 19 for an 8 p.m. match against the Golden Eagles at Valley Fields.

Match Notes: The Orange is now 1-0-1 all-time against Monmouth … This is the first time since 1985 Syracuse has started a season with four shutouts in its first five matches.