Another Preseason Ranking, Ryerson Next

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange men's soccer team received more preseason plaudits Monday. Ranked No. 20 in last week's preseason NSCAA poll, Syracuse checked in at No. 24 in TopDrawerSoccer.com's preseason rankings, released today.

The listing comes on the heels of SU's exhibition victory against Fordham last night, and a day before the team's continues its preseason slate versus Ryerson University tomorrow at the SU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against Ryerson is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission is free.

LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore Stefanos Stamoulacatos and junior Nick Perea each scored in the first half to lead the Orange past Fordham, 2-1, in the exhibition opener for both teams. Stamoulacatos got Syracuse on the board in the 12th minute and Perea provided what proved to be the winning goal late in the opening period.

Fordham could not solve the Orange defense. The Rams' only dangerous opportunities came on set pieces, one of which they converted. Casper Gimand scored on a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Fordham never threatened again.

NEW FACES ABOUND
Several Orange newcomers made their debuts against Fordham. Of note were the performances of freshmen Emil Ekblom, Alex Halis, Oyvind Alseth and Chris Nanco. Ekblom was a threat throughout the night and assisted on Stamoulacatos' goal. Halis played nearly the entire match and helped Syracuse control the game from the midfield. Alseth was solid along the backline, and Nanco showed flashes of his brilliant speed in the offensive third.

THOMAS RETURNS
Junior Skylar Thomas entered the Fordham match midway through the second half and played the remainder of the game. A two-year starter, Thomas is working his way back from a broken foot that sidelined him for the second half of last season. Orange head coach Ian McIntyre said previously that he would bring Thomas along slowly, hence his limited minutes.

ABOUT RYERSON
Ryerson University is located in Toronto. The Rams compete provincially in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and nationally in Canadian University Sport (CUS). The team took on an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time yesterday, tying Hartwick 1-1 in an exhibition at Elmore Field in Oneonta, N.Y.

The Rams were 7-1-6 last season and finished third in the OUA East. They are coached by Filip Prostran.

UP NEXT
The Orange wraps up exhibition action on the road Sunday, Aug. 25 at Georgetown. Start time is 3:30 p.m. at Shaw Field. The game is a rematch of last year's NCAA third-round contest between the Orange and Hoyas. Georgetown, which eventually reached the NCAA final, eliminated Syracuse on penalty kicks after the two sides tied, 1-1.

Syracuse University Athletics

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