Orange Battle SMU To A 1-1 Draw

Thursday, September 11

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

4-1-4, 0-0-1

Southern Methodist

5-2-1, 0-0-1

SMU

Syracuse

9/11/2025 9:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

Junior Vita Naihin scored her first goal of the season to help Syracuse (4-1-4, 0-0-1) rally for a 1-1 draw with Southern Methodist (5-2-1, 0-0-1) in an ACC encounter on Thursday night at the SU Soccer Stadium.

Naihin's strike came at the 43:53 mark and knotted the score at 1-1.

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The match came down to the wire, with both teams threatening the goal late in the contest. With the score tied at 1-1, SMU won a free kick right outside the Syracuse box. Midfielder Lydia Ungashick's right-footed attempt was corralled by Orange goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch.

The Orange had multiple chances the rest of the way. Senior Mia Klammer picked up the ball at midfield, weaving through multiple SMU defenders on the way to the goal. Klammer's right-footed strike forced a strong save from SMU goalkeeper Aubrey Brown. Just a minute later, senior Maya McDermott's cross found Klammer unmarked in the box. After her initial attempt was blocked, the ball fell to her feet, and her follow-up shot forced a reaction save from Brown.

MUSTANGS GET ON THE BOARD
After a back-and-forth start to the contest, it was SMU who found the opening goal at the 36:31 mark. After Syracuse failed to clear its lines following a cross into the box, the ball fell to SMU forward Nyah Rose. Rose fired a shot towards the bottom-left corner of the net, only to see the attempt saved off the line by Syracuse defender Natalie Magnotta. The rebound went straight to Ungashick, who made no mistake on the follow-up.

ORANGE STRIKE BACK
The Orange found the equalizer just on the cusp of halftime. Freshman Julia Arbalaez received the ball on the left flank and swung in a curling ball towards the far post of the goal. Naihin threw her left hip at the ball, guiding it into the right corner. This goal was her first on the campaign, and the second in her career at Syracuse.

FULL OF PHYSICALITY
A cagey affair the entire way, the match featured a total of 19 fouls and three bookings. Ungashick received the first caution of the match at the 32:37 mark after catching Klammer from behind as the forward streaked towards net. Magnotta went into the book a minute later a late challenge. Defender Anna Croyle received the final caution of the match at 70:02 for a late tackle right outside the Orange box.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

The Orange outshot the Mustangs 13-11, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on target.
SMU had 13 fouls on the match, while Syracuse had six.
Brown had seven saves for the Mustangs, while Vanderbosch finished with four.
Five players completed the full 90 minutes for Syracuse: Vanderbosch, Magnotta, Klammer, sophomore Jasmine Nixon and freshman Bree Bridges.
Graduate student Ashley Rauch led the Orange with three shots, two of those on goal.
With the draw, Syracuse improved to 0-1-1 in the all-time series against SMU.

NEXT GAME
Syracuse plays its fourth-straight home game when it takes on #7 Florida State on Sunday, September 14, at 1:00 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium.