Sept. 19, 2008

Box Score vs. Syracuse (PDF)

MILWAUKEE -- Syracuse remained unbeaten while handing Marquette its first home loss of the season Friday night as the Orange came out on top of a 1-0 decision following 90 minutes of BIG EAST men's soccer action at Valley Fields.

Syracuse managed only two shots total in the second half. Its only shot on goal in the period resulted in the deciding goal, while Marquette out-shot the Orange 9-7 overall.

Spencer Schomaker scored the game winner in the 76th minute. Syracuse teammate Justin Arena played a cross that was headed back by Kyle Hall to the top of the box where Schomaker laced a one-touch strike into the back of the net.

"Collectively, I think we were a little bit disjointed," said Marquette head coach Louis Bennett. "In the second half, we started to threaten, but even though we threatened it never looked like we could put that final pass together or hit the target."

Neither squad controlled the ball well enough as there were minimal quality scoring opportunities throughout the evening. Perhaps over-eager and a little off cue, it took most of the first half before both teams began finding a rhythm.

"They decided to put pressure on our youngsters and played very, very direct," said Bennett. "I thought we adjusted okay. It was a disappointing first half, but I thought we weathered the storm. We just couldn't connect in the final third [of the field]. They're a hard-nosed team. They were a very mature team and they weathered our storm."

Billy Von Rueden, Matt Stummer and Tom Sweeney each tallied a shot on goal for the Golden Eagles, all in the second half. Marquette also won the margin on corner kicks, 6-4.

With the win, Syracuse moved to 4-0-2 on the season. It was the BIG EAST opener for the Orange and their first time ever stepping foot on Valley Fields. Syracuse now leads the all-time series with Marquette 2-0-1. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles have lost two straight matches and enter this Sunday's showdown with St. John's at 1-2-2 (0-2-0 BIG EAST).

St. John's (5-0-2) is ranked No. 5 in the country according to the latest NSCAA/adidas poll. The Red Storm played No. 3 Notre Dame to a scoreless draw Friday.

"We have to continue with the principles we believe in, and we have to perform on Sunday," said Bennett. "It will be a challenge."

Kick off against St. John's is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Sunday at Valley Fields.