Orange Visits Las Vegas for UNLV Nike Invitational

Syracuse (5-1-0) vs. UNLV (1-4-1), Syracuse (5-1-0) vs. Cal State Fullerton (1-5-0)
Game Details	Friday, Sept. 14 \| Las Vegas, Nev. \| 10 p.m. Peter Johann Memorial Field \| Weather Sunday, Sept. 16 \| Las Vegas, Nev. \| 1:30 p.m. Peter Johann Memorial Field \| Weather
Game Coverage	TV: None \| Radio: None Live Stats: Syracuse vs. UNLV \| Syracuse vs. Cal State Fullerton
Syracuse Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats \| Notes
UNLV Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats \| Notes
Cal State Fullerton Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Off to its best start in 16 years, the Orange men's soccer team (5-1-0) seeks its second consecutive tournament title when it competes in the UNLV Nike Invitational from Sept. 14-16 at Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Orange will face tournament host UNLV on Friday, Sept. 14 at 10 p.m. (EST) then wraps up play with a 1:30 p.m. (EST) match against Cal State Fullerton Sunday, Sept. 16.

ORANGE HEADS WEST
The UNLV Nike Invitational marks just the second time in program history that the Orange will travel to the Pacific time zone. In 1999, SU competed in the Fila Classic in Fullerton, Calif. Syracuse lost both matches, falling to UCLA, 2-1, and Cal State Fullerton, 1-0.

SU RECEIVES VOTES IN NATIONAL POLL
The Orange received 10 votes in this week's NSCAA/Continental Tire Top 25 poll, released on Tuesday, Sept. 11. It marks the first time since 2008 Syracuse has garnered votes in the national rankings. SU is also sixth in this week's NSCAA Northeast Region rankings.

OFFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Syracuse is the most potent offensive team in the nation so far this season. The Orange leads the NCAA in goals (19), assists (17) and points (55). The Orange's 19 goals through six games are just one fewer than it scored in 16 matches last season. Overall, Syracuse ranks fifth nationally in scoring offense at 3.17 goals per game.

Tony Asante is 11th nationally in points (12), and fifth in the NCAA in goals scored (5). Ted Cribley ranks third in the country with four assists.

SCOUTING UNLV
The Rebels have a 1-4-1 record this season. UNLV started the season with losses at UC Davis (1-0) and at Saint Mary's (2-1). The Rebels rebounded for a draw against Loyola Marymount (1-1), before losing to Cal State Fullerton (2-1). The Rebels picked up their first win against Cal State Northridge (3-1) on Sept. 7.

Nick Marshall leads the offense with six points on two goals and two assists. Robert Garcia has a team-high three assists. Joe Vitale has started every game in goal. He has 22 saves in six games and a 1.69 goals-against average.

Rich Ryerson is in his third season at UNLV. He owns a career record of 10-29-3.

Friday's match will be the first between Syracuse and UNLV.

SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The Titans have a 1-5-0 record this season. Cal State Fullerton started its season with losses to American (1-0), Portland (4-0) and Cornell (2-1), before recording its first win of the season versus this weekend's tournament host UNLV (2-1).

Jonathan Birt leads the offense with three points on one goal and one assist. Jaime Cano and Jesse Escalante have also tallied one goal each. Adam Zepeda has started every match in goal for the Titans. He has 20 saves and a goals-against average of 1.79.

Coach Bob Ammann is in his seventh season at Cal State Fullerton, and, as a player, led the Titans to the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. He is 42-68-14 as the Titans' head coach.

This is the second meeting between the Orange and Titans. Cal State Fullerton won the first matchup, 2-1, at the Fila Classic in Fullerton, Calif. on Sept. 3, 1999.

UP NEXT…
The Orange returns home for its BIG EAST opener versus Seton Hall at the SU Soccer Stadium. SU will battle the Pirates on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Syracuse University Athletics

Orange Visits Las Vegas for UNLV Nike Invitational

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