Orange and Bearcats Meet in CNY Soccer Showdown

Game #8 - #23 Syracuse (6-1-0) at Binghamton (2-5)
Game Details	Tuesday, Sept. 23 - 7 p.m. \| Clemson, S.C. Bearcats Sports Complex \| Weather
Game Coverage	BUBearcats.com: Video \| Live Stats Twitter: @SUMensSoccer
Binghamton Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats
Syracuse Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Stats \| Guide \| Notes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The 23rd-ranked Orange (6-1-0) makes the short trip to Vestal, N.Y. to take on the Binghamton Bearcats (2-5-0) on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Bearcats Sports Complex. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Syracuse has won the last two pairings between the schools. In addition, the Orange is looking to continue its dominance against non-conference opponents. Syracuse is 19-2 since 2012 versus non-league foes, including a streak of 16 wins in a row.

DOMINATING DEFENSE
Syracuse is tied for the national lead in fewest goals allowed this season. The Orange has given up one tally, tied with Penn State, Michigan State and George Mason for the fewest in Division I soccer. Overall, the Orange is tied for the NCAA lead in goals-against average (0.14) and owns the country's best team save percentage (.962) and shutout percentage (.857).

SIZZLING START
Syracuse's clean sheets versus Cornell and Clemson last week raised its season total to six shutouts in seven games. The Orange has allowed just one goal so far this season, the fewest through the first seven games of any season in team history.

At 6-1-0, the 2014 season marks the second time in three years the Orange has opened the campaign with six wins in its first seven outings.

GOLDEN BOY
Sophomore Emil Ekblom leads the Orange and is tied for second in the ACC in points (9) and goals (4). Three of Ekblom's four tallies have been game-winners, tied with North Carolina's Andy Craven for the ACC lead and several players for the third in the country. Ekblom notched the deciding goal in SU's wins against St. Mary's, Rutgers and Clemson.

Ironically, Ekblom scored 10 goals in 2013, none of which were game-winners.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
The Bearcats are 2-5-0 in 2014 and have yet to play an America East Conference match. Binghamton has recorded victories against Niagara and Bucknell this season, outscoring its opponents 4-1 in the two games.

Five different players have scored for the Bearcats in 2014. Alex Varkatzas leads the squad with two goals and four points.

Stefan Frantellizzi and Robert Moewes have split time in net. Both have appeared in four games. Frantellizzi has recorded 10 saves and allowed three goals. He sports a 1-3-0 record. Moewes has 15 saves against five goals allowed. He is 1-2-0.

Paul Marco is in his 13th season at the helm in Vestal. After serving as head coach at West Virginia from 1996-2001, Marco has led the Bearcats to two America East Conference titles, two America East regular-season crowns and a conference-record six consectutive apperances in the America East championship game (2003-08).

THE BINGHAMTON SERIES
Tuesday's match represents the 10th meeting between Syracuse and Binghamton. The Bearcats hold a 5-4-0 overall series lead, but the Orange has won four out of the last six meetings.

SU defeated the Bearcats, 2-1, in overtime last season. Alex Halis notched the game-winning goal a little more than four minutes into the second extra session.

UP NEXT ...
The Orange returns home on Saturday, Sept. 27 to host ACC rival Virginia at the SU Soccer Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Syracuse University Athletics

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