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Syracuse’s game against Providence followed a very similar sequence to when it defeated Notre Dame 2-1 in its last game on Oct. 5. After SU took a 1-0 lead, the Fighting Irish equalized in the 59th minute.

On Tuesday against the Friars, the Orange jumped on the scoreboard early with a goal by Carlos Zambrano. But once again, in the 59th minute, SU squandered its lead as Providence found the back of the net to tie the game.

Just as Syracuse regained its lead over Notre Dame, it found a response against Providence.

In the 71st minute, Elton Chifamba served a free kick to the middle of the box and it bounced toward the back right post. Chimere Omeze was first to it, heading the ball off the post. Omeze reacted first and redirected the ball past Providence goalkeeper Lukas Burns to give SU a 2-1 lead.

For the second-straight game, Syracuse (6-4-3, 1-2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) retook the lead and held to win 2-1 over Providence (6-4-2, 1-1-1 Big East). Once the Orange pulled ahead, they fought off the Friars’ late push to stay undefeated on the road. SU has won three straight contests, marking its longest winning streak of the season.

The Orange started aggressively against the Friars, generating a chance just 25 seconds into the game. SU worked the ball to the left sideline for Gabe Threadgold, who crossed it into the 18-yard box. A poor clearance led to an Omeze one-time strike on net. Burns jumped in front of the shot and it bounced out to Nathan Scott, who also was blocked from short range.

Four minutes later, the Friars created a scoring chance with their first corner kick. Yet, SU goalkeeper Tomas Hut snuffed it out, running out to the middle of the box to punch the ball away.

In the 15th minute, Syracuse created an attack from the left side again, this time through Braedon Smith. He took his defender to the end line and crossed it to the near post. Burns popped the ball up in the air and Zambrano volleyed it into the net to put SU in front 1-0.

With a one-goal advantage, Syracuse remained steady at the back with Dominic Bell and Andre Cutler-DeJesus continuing to cut off attacks by the Friars.

It took until the 34th minute for Providence to get its first shot on goal. As the Friars pushed forward on the attack, the ball came ricocheting out to Pearse O’Brien at the corner of the box. He unleashed a shot, but it was caught by Hut. O’Brien’s effort was the Friars’ lone shot on goal in the first half, while SU had just two.

In the 52nd minute, Providence looked for alternative ways to stretch SU’s backline. Instead of going up the sideline, the Friars attacked up the center of the field.

Bernardo Prego delivered a through ball to the top of the box for Bruno Rosa, but Rosa couldn’t keep the ball close to his foot and Hut came out to gather it.

Soon after in the 57th minute, Providence tied the game. Sam Montalto hustled up the right side and crossed the ball to the back of the box. At first, no one was there to finish the feed, but Steban Lopera came streaking in for a one-touch finish to tie the game at 1-1.

Following the equalizer, Syracuse’s offense slowed down. In the 67th minute, SU earned a free kick on the Friars’ third, but Zambrano’s feed into the box was blocked by the Friars’ wall.

In the 71st minute, SU earned another free kick. Chifamba, who had just checked back into the game, told Zambrano that he would take the kick. This time, the delivery found the body of an SU teammate and Omeze was there to give SU the lead back.

Four minutes later, Rosa led a strong effort up the left side. Marked by Bell, Rosa made a move past him and fired to the top of the net, but Hut jumped up to knock the ball over the crossbar.

Providence kept pushing for an equalizer in the final minutes, but couldn’t find an answer. Israel Neto positioned himself for a turnaround shot with two minutes left, though his shot missed high.

Published on October 8, 2024 at 11:39 pm

Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32