The Syracuse Orange men's soccer team pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset against #3 Pitt, marking their best performance of the season. Celebrating Senior Night, the win came after a difficult stretch for Syracuse, which had previously suffered nine goals against in their last two matches. Freshman Kristjan Fortier opened the scoring early, followed by Nate Scott sealing the victory later with a second goal. Coach Ian McIntyre commended his team’s resilience, especially their strong defense against one of the nation’s top offenses. This victory not only boosted team morale but also sets the stage for their upcoming ACC Tournament challenge.

By the Numbers
  • Syracuse outperformed a top-3 ranked team in Pitt, despite recent struggles, with a record of 7-3-3 (2-4-2) this season.
  • Goalkeeper Tomas Hut delivered an impressive performance with five saves in the first half.
Yes, But

While the Orange celebrated their victory, it’s important to note their previous performance was marred by defensive lapses, allowing nine goals across two games. This inconsistency raises questions about their ability to replicate this win during the ACC Tournament.

State of Play
  • Syracuse is heading into the ACC Tournament with renewed confidence after the victory over Pitt.
  • Pitt was ranked as high as #1 earlier this season and enters the postseason as a favorite for both ACC and NCAA tournaments.
What's Next

The Orange will aim to carry this momentum into the ACC Tournament, facing Wake Forest in the first round. A strong tournament performance could potentially secure them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Bottom Line

Syracuse's impressive win over a top contender displays their capacity to challenge higher-ranked teams. If they maintain this level of play, they could achieve surprising success in the ACC Tournament.