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Ian McIntyre struggled to find words to answer one final question following a deflating defeat to Virginia Tech. He started formulating a response about Syracuse’s second-half performance. Though McIntyre barely could get a cohesive thought together. He muttered a couple of words before completely stopping himself mid-sentence.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to form a response, he just couldn’t concentrate. All that seemed to fill his mind was the deafening chanting from Virginia Tech in the visiting locker room. The Hokies players emphatically celebrated their first win at SU Soccer Stadium since 2003 as McIntyre sulked with disappointment.

“I’m just enjoying listening to our opponent,” McIntyre said sarcastically.

It was a response that summed up Syracuse’s (2-2-2, 0-1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) last two-and-a-half weeks. The Orange haven’t won a game since Aug. 25, going winless in their last four games. Their latest misstep was a 2-0 loss to No. 17 Virginia Tech (5-0-1, 1-0 ACC). SU stuck with the Hokies for long portions of the contest, but two goals in 94 seconds from Alex Perez and Malick Thiaw in the second half sunk the Orange.

During his weekly media availability, McIntyre was his normal upbeat self despite the Orange coming off a shocking 1-0 loss to Le Moyne and a disappointing 1-1 draw with Boston College. He was strong in his praise for Virginia Tech, lauding its experienced squad. It was the first time the Hokies would come on the road against Syracuse since 2016. McIntyre joked that he had a timeshare in Blacksburg, Virginia, for all the time his squad has spent there the past few years.

Despite the jokes, McIntyre was well aware of the challenge Virginia Tech presented to Syracuse. Through their first five games, the Hokies outscored their opponents 13-3 and scored multiple goals in every game.

Friday, VT wasted no time putting Syracuse under pressure. In the first 10 minutes, the Hokies put the Orange on the back foot and were first to every second ball, keeping SU pinned deep in its territory. VT recorded six corner kicks within the first 15 minutes but converted on none of them. Tomas Hut was aggressive, claiming a couple of them, while Virginia Tech’s services at times failed to beat the first man at the near post.

Outside of possession in dangerous areas, Virginia Tech failed to generate quality looks, only recording two shots on goal in the first half. In the 20th minute, Andy Sullins created space for a shot at the top of the 18-yard box but fired a left-footed strike right at Tomas Hut in net.

Chances were few and far between for Syracuse, but when they presented themselves, the Orange squandered them. Four minutes before Sullins’ effort, Michael Acquah nearly put SU in front. He latched onto a flick around the corner from Nicholas Kaloukian bearing down on goal. Acquah’s effort failed to test Cooper Wenzel in net as he fired wide.

Acquah’s shot was one of five in the first half from Syracuse, all of which failed to hit the target. The Orange continued to push for an opener, but couldn’t convert. In the 35th minute, Ezra Widman found himself wide open in the six-yard box. Ernest Bawa placed a cross right on his head, but Widman flashed his header wide.

During its four-game winless streak, Syracuse’s main problem has been its goalscoring. A 2-2 tie with Charlotte on Aug. 29 was the last time the Orange scored multiple goals. Since then, they’ve fired 54 shots — 16 on goal — and found the net just twice.

Friday, they had to pay again for not taking their chances. In the 60th minute, Perez got a quick touch to a loose ball at the top of the box and was taken out by Chimere Omeze. Perez then buried the ensuing free kick. Hut stood in the middle of his goal and Perez curled the ball to the far post. Hut couldn’t get anywhere near it and Perez put Virginia Tech in front 1-0.

Just over a minute later, Virginia Tech compiled SU’s misery. Wenzel easily collected a cross from Gabe Threadgold and quickly sprung a Hokies’ counterattack. A long punt was chested down in SU’s half by Marcos Escoe after shielding off Sam Layton. Escoe then drove Andre Cutler-DeJesus to the end line. Escoe created enough space to find a wide-open Thiaw for a tap-in to double VT’s advantage.

“You’ve got to ensure those next five minutes, but that’s when we showed a little bit of naivety with our group,” McIntyre said.

Despite falling down multiple goals for the first time all season, the Orange nearly produced an instant response. Threadgold burst down the left side, finding Ben Rosenblatt for a diving header at the back post. Somehow, VT defender Yonis Kireh headed the ball off the line, keeping the Hokies’ shutout alive.

McIntyre was happy with the way his team played across the final 25 minutes while taking some of the blame for the loss. He felt he got a couple of things tactically wrong, specifically with the way Syracuse pressed, and that Virginia Tech did well exploiting the Orange.

With no need to add to its lead, Virginia Tech wasted time by keeping the ball in the corner during the last few minutes. Ethan Hackenberg then went to goal, firing a cross into the box with two minutes left which went right into Hut’s arms.

Syracuse players attempted to make their way up the field for one last push. Hut blasted a punt into VT territory, but no SU player was anywhere near the area.

“Who are you kicking to Tomas?” McIntyre sarcastically questioned from the sidelines as Virginia Tech easily regained possession.

The rushed decision was a microcosm of Syracuse’s night. When Virginia Tech needed to be, it was calm and composed. It made SU pay for its mistakes and ultimately that was the difference.

“They probably deserved to win this football match, but games come down to small moments,” McIntyre said.

Published on September 14, 2024 at 12:01 am

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