1st-half setbacks seal SU’s 2-1 defeat to Niagara
Syracuse dropped its first game of the season on Sunday against Niagara, erasing the momentum built from its season-opening blowout over Charleston Southern. Arnav Pokhrel | Contributing Photographer
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You couldn’t ask for much more from an opening day fixture than Syracuse’s 5-0 thrashing of Charleston Southern on Friday.
A 40-second span saw Ashley Rauch net a brace after her inventive service found Anna Croyle’s head for the opener. Mia Klammer, the 2023 Division II National Player of the Year, finally got on the scoresheet for SU after missing all of 2024 with an injury, before freshman Olivia Bozzo put the icing on the cake in SU’s five-star performance.
Within 45 minutes of the new season, Syracuse all but had a win on the board. But for all the positives set two days prior, the real question was, could the Orange do it again? Niagara had other plans as an unchanged Syracuse (1-1-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) lineup fell 2-1 to Niagara (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic) after two quick fire goals in the first half and an impressive defensive display in the second half.
“I think they rattled us first half with the goal they scored, and all of a sudden we started going against our game plan and they scored another,” Adams said postgame. “When we settled down and started playing, I don’t know what more we could have done when you put 30 opportunities on board, 15 corner kicks.”
Against the Buccaneers, SU head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams altered her formation from last year’s mix of 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-1-1 to a 5-3-2. The Orange’s midfield quickly became five in possession as SU’s wingbacks bombarded up and down the flanks while its back three of newcomers Jasmine Nixon, Bree Bridges and Natalie Magnotta provided stability in their half.
And SU’s first chance came from that overload.
A long ball by goalie Shea Vanderbosch, who didn’t make a save for the first time in her SU career against Charleston Southern, found Gabby Wisbeck, who touched it along to Klammer with time and space. Klammer then found Maya McDermott inside the 18-yard box, but she missed from point-blank range, which SU would come to rue.
Direct service started to cause havoc for Syracuse’s back three, and the Purple Eagles, who only retained two of their 15 goals scored last season, took advantage. A chip into the front line found Izzy Schmidt, whose intuitive flick perfectly fell for Sarah Lucas as she nestled it into the bottom left corner in the 11th minute.
Six minutes later, Niagara struck again. A lofted set piece from Schmidt left Vanderbosch in limbo. She opted to stay back and got a hand to Schmidt’s service, which found Magnotta. The Penn State transfer rushed her clearance, which fell into the path of St. Bonaventure transfer Mahelie Barbeau, who tapped it home.
As the half came to a close, Syracuse produced its most clear cut chances since McDermott’s miss in the third minute.
With four minutes to spare, Vita Naihin scrapped through Baillie Colling’s challenge but struck her shot right at freshman goalie Julia Poissant. A long throw-in from Klammer eventually found its way to Bozzo, who was within touching distance of decreasing deficit, but an elusive save kept Niagara’s lead intact.
The feeling was so contrasting from the first half on Friday, where SU had the match won early, compared to the first half on Sunday. The next goal was crucial, and SU came out of the gates trying to snatch one early.
Three shots, the best of which came from Anna Croyle at the penalty spot, put Niagara on the back foot. A beautiful pass by Rauch found Julia Arbelaez, who got to the byline, but her cross only found Niagara’s No. 30 in net. Minutes later, Abbigail Incorvaia couldn’t beat Poissant after breaking through on the left.
Last ditch defending held firm, but Niagara was on the ropes. SU just needed someone to deliver the first blow. It looked like it might be Arbelaez after Naihin found her unmarked in the box, but she scuffed her shot in the 64th minute. Then, it seemed like Klammer was in behind the Purple Eagles, but Delta Barber’s sliding tackle was crucial.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, SU broke through. A one-two between Anna Rupert and Klammer gave the former St. Rose star all the time in the world to pick her spot. She did so effectively.
The Orange pressed and pressed for an equalizer in the final five minutes. McDermott came agonisingly close off Klammer’s long throw but couldn’t stretch her leg far enough to reach the ball. With just seconds left, Klammer broke through on the right and delivered a tantalizing ball to Rauch at the back post. It’s the exact person SU wants on the end of it, especially after her performance against Charleston Southern. But she put it wide as time expired.
For as much possession and control the Orange had in the second half, a dismal opening 20 minutes cost Syracuse and gave Niagara its first opening win since 2010.
“I think this is gonna make us better,” Adams said. “We can’t take any opponent lightly. Gotta play a full 90.”
