SU men’s soccer can’t break down New Haven’s low block in scoreless draw
Syracuse's struggles persisted on Monday as it tied New Haven 0-0 despite dominating in nearly every statistical category. Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor
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Ian McIntyre thinks he’d need Erling Haaland up top for Syracuse to start scoring some goals.
The Manchester City striker, who’s scored 85 times over the past three Premier League seasons, may have been Syracuse’s only solution to snag a win on Monday. McIntyre was keen on either Haaland or Liverpool striker Alexander Isak helping the Orange break their scoring drought, he said.
SU’s gaffer was joking, of course. But with the way Syracuse’s offense has performed to start the season, McIntyre isn’t wrong in wanting to test the transfer market. Each game has been an almost identical story — the Orange heavily outshoot their opponent but can’t score. SU’s three goals through five games were the main culprit behind its subpar start.
It was a similar tale on Monday night, but it may have taken a Premier League pro to break down New Haven’s defense.
Syracuse (2-2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) went scoreless again in a 0-0 draw to New Haven (2-0-2, Northeast) at home. SU outshot the Chargers 22-2 and missed a plethora of chances, but New Haven’s rock-solid low block caused the Orange troubles all night long. Oftentimes SU built out its attacks well, but the compact defense didn’t allow the Orange to make the final pass. Goalkeeper Alessandro Bizzini notched a career-high eight saves to back New Haven’s efforts.
“(New Haven) is one of several undefeated teams in the country right now, so credit to them,” McIntyre said. “We certainly limited their opportunities, but we didn’t create enough. It’s another team that we had difficulty breaking down.”
In the opening two minutes, though, New Haven’s defense nearly crumbled.
SU striker Bright Nutornutsi received the ball on the turn from outside the circle and played a through ball to Michael Acquah. Acquah tried to get a left-footed shot off from inside the box but was dragged down by New Haven defender Marc Jourdain. Referee John Rush immediately signaled to the penalty spot.
Sachiel Ming’s spot kick was struck well. But Bizzini moved to his left and pawed away the shot with his right hand. While just three minutes into the game, the save proved to be the most important play of the contest.
The Orange pushed forward with a flurry of chances right after. Nutornutsi nearly got on the end of a through ball from Acquah, but he couldn’t extend his body to tap it into an empty net. Soon after, Acquah played a ball into the box that Nutornutsi smashed off the near post.
McIntyre noted that the Chargers switched their formation early in the half to provide defensive reinforcement. It helped them bend without breaking.
“We scored that penalty and it’s a different game,” McIntyre said. “The one that hits the post, if we score that one, it forces New Haven’s hand. The longer the game goes on, like Duquesne, they’re trying to nick a goal against us, too. We’ve gotta show teams that we can break them down.”
New Haven trailed 11-1 on shots after the first half. Its game plan was clear — defend with everything and try to hit Syracuse on the counter. That meant the Chargers had no less than six or seven defenders and midfielders patrolling SU’s attackers all evening.
McIntyre said SU made several halftime adjustments to break down the block. He encouraged more ball movement and suggested trying to overload the Chargers wide to create open spaces.
“We got some shots, but I don’t think we made life as uncomfortable for them as we should have,” McIntyre said.
The problem for Syracuse throughout the second half was making the final pass. The sheer quality the Orange have up front between Nutornutsi, Acquah, Ming and Carlos Zambrano is enough to create chances against smaller opponents. But each good run of play lacked a proficient pass to set up looks on goal. SU retained possession for what felt like the whole second half but had just four clean shots on target.
“We train and expect (a low block), but in the game it’s different,” Acquah said. “It’s so tight, you can’t really get any chances in front of goal. It’s so frustrating. There will be one shot and you don’t take it, and it never comes back again.”
The Orange weren’t as opportunistic in the second half, and the Chargers’ compact defense didn’t leave them any room for error. SU’s best look came with six minutes left when Chimere Omeze got on the end of a cross at the edge of the six-yard box. His header sailed over the bar.
When the full-time whistle blew, it was a familiar feeling of anguish for the Orange. For the third consecutive game, the stat sheet indicated SU should’ve walked away with more than it did — Syracuse has outshot its past three opponents by a combined 67-7 but has one goal to show for it. The cohesion of New Haven’s defense Monday limited the Orange again.
“We had lots of good moments tonight,” McIntyre said. “We didn’t score a goal, and credit to New Haven, they made it very difficult for us.”
