Syracuse Drops Duke, 2-1

Friday, September 20

Durham, NC

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

5-2-0, 1-2-0ACC

Duke

3-2-2, 0-2-1ACC

Syracuse

Duke

Emil Ekblom scored the equalizer in the 60th minute to help SU come back and defeat Duke, 2-1.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/20/2013 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Score By Period	1st	2nd	Final
Syracuse	0	2	2
Duke	0	1	1
Box Score Sept. 20, 2013 \| Koskinen Stadium / Durham, N.C. \| Attendance: 807

DURHAM, N.C. – The Syracuse men's soccer team (5-2-0, 1-2-0 ACC) scored two second-half goals to record a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Duke (3-2-2, 0-2-1 ACC) on Friday, Sept. 20 at Koskinen Stadium. The victory represents the program's first conference win as a member of the ACC.

"It is great to get on the scoreboard in the ACC," said SU head coach Ian McIntyre. "We showed a lot of character and were worthy winners this evening. Anytime you go on the road and get a result especially after conceding a goal just after halftime is great. I thought we responded excellently with two quality goals."

The two squads battled to a scoreless first half despite the Orange and Blue Devils having their share of opportunities. Syracuse's Chris Nanco and Nick Perea both had solid chances that went wide, while Chris Makowski had a pair of headers that required athletic saves from Duke goalkeeper Alex Long.

Likewise, Duke had opportunities to break through in the first frame, but Alex Bono made two saves in the opening period, including one in the 36th minute to stymie a dangerous Blue Devil counterattack.

Duke did not waste any time pressuring the Orange defense in the second half as Brody Huitema tallied the game's first goal less than 15 seconds into the second period to give Duke a one-goal advantage.

Emil Ekblom nearly drew SU level two minutes later, but his shot was blocked. Ekblom generated another opportunity, however, in the 61st minute, when he eluded a defender and fired a shot to the lower corner of the goal, tying the match.

Nanco put the Orange ahead in the 75th minute when he received a perfect through-ball from Grant Chong down the left flank. Nanco's touch was on point and he lifted a shot over a charging Long to give SU the lead, 2-1.

The Syracuse defense handled the rest. Bono made two key saves and cleared away each Duke cross that came his way in the second half. Bono finished with four saves to earn the victory. Long made two saves for Duke.

The Orange outshot the Blue Devils, 16-9, and recorded eight corner kicks, including seven in the first half. Duke had five corners.

Syracuse returns to the SU Soccer Stadium for a non-conference match against Massachusetts on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Orange and Minutemen kick off at 7 p.m.

Match Notes: With the victory, Syracuse earned its first three points in the ACC standings … The game-winner was Nanco's third goal of the season, which is tied for second on the team with Ekblom … The win was SU's first against Duke and evened the series record between the two teams at 1-1 … Bono recorded his18th career win, which ranks seventh in Syracuse history … The comeback marked the first time SU rallied from a second-half deficit since defeating Cincinnati, 3-1, on Oct. 31, 2009. The Orange trailed the Bearcats, 1-0, in that match.