SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse orange and SMU Mustangs battled to a 1-1 draw Thursday afternoon at the SU Soccer Stadium, marking the second consecutive home game the Orange have fought to a tie. The result moves Syracuse to 2-2-1 on the season.
The evenly contested match saw SMU take the lead in the 37th minute after a Syracuse defensive miscue allowed Nyah Rose to score off a rebound, following a save by Orange defender Natalie Magnotta. However, Syracuse responded just before halftime with a goal from freshman Julia Arbalaez, assisted by naihin, tying the score at 1-1.
The first half saw a flurry of action, with ungashick’s goal for SMU at the 36:31 mark following a failed syracuse clearance. Syracuse quickly countered,with Arbalaez delivering a curling ball that Naihin directed into the net for her first goal of the season and second of her Syracuse career.
The game was characterized by physicality, resulting in 19 fouls and three yellow cards. Ungashick, Magnotta, and Anna Croyle each received cautions.
Syracuse outshot SMU 13-11, with an 8-5 advantage in shots on target. Brown recorded seven saves for SMU, while Syracuse’s Vanderbosch had four. Five Orange players – Vanderbosch, Magnotta, Klammer, Jasmine Nixon, and Bree Bridges – played the full 90 minutes. Ashley Rauch led Syracuse with three shots,two on goal.
The draw brings Syracuse’s all-time record against SMU to 0-1-1. The Orange will continue their homestand on Sunday, September 14, hosting #7 Florida state at 1:00 p.m. at the SU Soccer stadium.
