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Syracuse defender Kate Murphy drove a pass diagonally through midfield that bounced off the out-stretched knee of UMass midfielder Ella Curry. The ball rolled all the way to the right side of UMass’ 18-yard box. Ava Uribe tracked down the loose ball, creating a one-on-one with Minutewomen goalkeeper Bella Mendoza.

Uribe streaked down the right side as the goalkeeper tried to set herself. Mendoza tried to cut down Uribe’s angle, but the forward drove a shot to the far post. Mendoza stuck her foot out, but couldn’t stop Uribe’s attempt as Syracuse netted its first goal of 2024.

Uribe’s tally in the 13th minute ultimately proved to be the game-winner as Syracuse (1-0-0) defeated UMass (0-1-0) 2-0 in its season-opener. Despite being outshot 18-4, timely saves by goalie Shea Vanderbosch and Syracuse’s shot-blocking ability allowed it to protect its lead. The victory marked the first for the Orange since August 27, 2023.

In the opening stages of the contest, UMass applied high pressure, but SU’s backline held strong. Syracuse’s defense cleared several aggressive crosses from the Minutewomen on the left wing.

Despite being pushed into its end by the UMass attack, Syracuse still found a way to strike first. In the 13th minute, the Orange jumped ahead courtesy of Uribe’s first-career goal. It didn’t take long for her to find her way back on the scoresheet.

As Iba Oching received the ball in midfield, she worked it around UMass midfielder Caroline Dickson and sent a quick pass off of the body of Kelly Pease. Fortunately for the Orange, the ball landed right in front of Uribe. She rushed down the left side while being pursued by two UMass defenders.

With perfect timing, she threaded the needle on a cross that sailed between defenders Bianca Cardano and Macy Graves. The ball skidded across the box and fell right at the feet of Ashley Rauch on the opposite side. The redshirt junior made no mistake. Rauch easily tapped it home to give the Orange a 2-0 advantage in the 20th minute.

The Minutewomen scrambled to find a response to the two quick tallies. They generated lengthy possessions for the remainder of the first half that kept the play in Syracuse’s end of the pitch.

But despite the high press it faced, SU continued to hold strong on the defensive end. Murphy, Kylen Grant and Anna Croyle stepped up by blocking cross attempts, shots and winning one-on-one duels in front of Vanderbosch.

UMass’s dominant possession carried over into the second half. In the 52nd minute, the Minutewomen had been awarded three consecutive corners. But Vanderbosch and the Syracuse backline foiled each of them with jumping headers.

After an injury-riddled 2023 campaign, SU head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams prioritized creating a deeper roster ahead of 2024. Syracuse had 24 players on its roster last season, but now boasts 34. Its improved depth was tested down the stretch against the Minutewomen Thursday night. Syracuse used its newfound depth to make timely substitutions when pinned in its own zone. The fresh legs helped keep its two-goal lead intact.

By the 86th minute, frustration began to boil over for UMass. As Vanderbosch retrieved the ball on the right side of the box, she was met by Nia Hislop, who gave her a late kick. Vanderbosch responded with a shove back. Both were given yellow cards after the altercation.

In the final seconds of the contest, UMass forward Chandler Pedolzky was given a golden opportunity. Curry delivered a strong stretch pass from midfield that landed at the feet of Bella Recinos, who ran to the right side of the box. She quickly slid the ball to Pedolzky, who was waiting directly in front of Syracuse’s net. Pedolzky fired a desperation shot toward the goal but it sailed well wide of the right post as the clock reached full time.

Published on August 15, 2024 at 10:58 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu