Orange Post 2-1 Exhibition Win Against Villanova

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse scored two first-half goals and defeated Villanova, 2-1, at the SU Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, August 16. The match was the second of three exhibition games the Orange will play to prepare for the 2017 season.

Syracuse had a couple of chances early on set pieces, but headers by junior Kamal Miller and freshman Sondre Norheim were just off target. The Orange broke through in the 26th minute when freshman Tajon Buchanan pressured Villanova goalkeeper Carson Williams and stripped the ball from him. He then tapped the ball into the back of the net to give Syracuse the lead.

The Orange added to their advantage on a set piece in the 39th minute. Junior Hugo Delhommelle served the ball into the box on a free kick where he connected with Miller, who headed the ball into the goal.

The Wildcats cut the lead in half with a goal in the 56th minute. Villanova continued to apply offensive pressure, but senior goalkeeper Pat Castle made three saves to secure Syracuse's 2-1 victory.

Earlier in the day, the Orange, which are ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, were picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Atlantic Division in a vote by the league's head coaches. Wake Forest earned eight first-place votes and were picked as the favorite to win the division. Clemson earned three first-place votes and the second spot in the poll, while Louisville had one first-place vote and was picked third. North Carolina, which advanced to last year's College Cup, was picked as the favorite to be the overall ACC champion.

Syracuse will travel to College Park, Md. to face Maryland on Saturday, Aug. 20 in its final exhibition game prior to opening the 2017 season. The Terrapins were the No. 1 seed in last year's NCAA Tournament.

Orange Post 2-1 Exhibition Win Against Villanova

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Players Mentioned

Tajon Buchanan

Pat Castle

Hugo Delhommelle

Kamal Miller

Sondre Norheim

Syracuse University Athletics