Syracuse claims 1st ACC win since 2022, beats Miami 1-0
Mia Klammer’s goal in the 77th minute of Syracuse’s match with Miami Saturday powered it to its first ACC win since 2022. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Ashley Rauch was a freshman the last time Syracuse won an Atlantic Coast Conference game, and she scored game-winning goal in SU’s 3-1 win over Miami on Sept. 25, 2022.
Little did she know that Syracuse would be winless in ACC action for over three years. Coming into Saturday, the Orange hadn’t won a conference tilt in 33 tries. It had been 1,112 days.
But on Saturday, it finally came to an end.
Rauch, now a senior, found Mia Klammer streaking downfield on a fast break in the 78th minute. Without hesitation, she struck the ball into the left corner of the goal to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead.
Klammer’s goal off Rauch’s assist was the difference in Syracuse’s (5-6-4, 1-5-1 ACC) 1-0 win over Miami (6-6-2, 0-5-1 ACC). Backed by Klammer and a defense that bent but didn’t break, the Orange are in unfamiliar territory — the conference win column.
SU looked vastly different three years ago. Twenty-three of 29 players from its 2022 roster are no longer with the program. But the six that are still with the Orange largely contributed to Saturday’s win.
One of those six players, Anna Rupert, had a prime opportunity to start the scoring just two minutes in. Off a Rauch corner kick, she patiently stood in front of the net. But despite a solid look, she mishandled the ball.
Syracuse’s offensive pressure swarmed Miami’s backline early on. The Orange were in complete control, driving down the field at will and frequently generating quality scoring opportunities. They often attempted to expose gaps and get between defenders Ciara Alarcon and Éabha O’Mahony.
But just as was the case during its ACC win drought, SU had difficulty converting. It wasn’t a result of strong Miami defense but rather sloppy execution by Syracuse near the net.
Despite a dormant start, the Hurricanes began to pressure SU’s backline — one that was peppered with 31 shots against Clemson.
Caroline Hood nearly got the scoring started with a booming shot on a fast break. Though she misfired, the Hurricanes were gifted a corner kick.
Crosby Nicholson got the header down in a timely fashion but couldn’t convert. Miami started moving downfield at a faster pace yet still couldn’t get on the scoreboard.
Both teams began to play more aggressively as the first half progressed, though it didn’t amount to scoring. Rupert and Gabby Wisbeck led the charge on another SU fast break. Vita Naihin’s strong footwork gave Anna Croyle an excellent opportunity to score just minutes later, but Emily Bredek saved the shot.
Across its five ACC losses this year, Syracuse has surrendered 15 goals. Other than its 4-0 loss to then-No. 3 Stanford, where the Cardinal tallied three first-half goals, the Orange’s defensive struggles have primarily come in the second half.
Against Cal on Sept. 25, it was Soleil Dimry’s second-half goal that sealed the deal. Versus then-No. 7 Florida State on Sept. 14, SU allowed three of its four goals after the break.
Early in the second half against the Hurricanes, that trend looked destined to continue. Miami pounded SU’s defense to begin the final 45 minutes. It took better care of the ball and dealt with Syracuse’s defensive pressure well.
At the 37-minute mark, Nicholson found Sarah Greiner breaking loose, ready to fire. While Greiner’s shot swerved to the right, it was still a solid look.
After Syracuse had five first-half corners to Miami’s one, the narrative changed. Within the first 20 minutes of the second half, the Hurricanes recorded seven corner kicks. Based on the Orange’s recent track record, one would likely fall in for a goal.
But none did. Miami constantly threatened, but Shea Vanderbosch and Co. held steady. SU’s defensive prowess led to a rarity: second-half offense from the Orange.
Syracuse hadn’t scored a second-half goal in any of its conference games this year. But when a sprinting Rauch gently dropped the ball off to Klammer, the Orange broke the ice. Klammer’s team-leading seventh goal of the season made it Syracuse’s game to lose.
Miami had multiple throw-ins and five shots across the game’s final seven minutes. Allie Serlenga weaved through SU’s backline, generating a corner kick for Miami.
Jessica Kaye had a chance to tie the game as she stood directly in front of the net, but her shot was blocked. That opportunity was the Hurricanes’ last.
Miami and Syracuse were among the four teams without an ACC win this year. But after Saturday, that number changed to three.
It wasn’t always pretty. SU’s offensive showing isn’t sustainable if it wants to compete with the cream of the crop in the ACC. But regardless, Saturday’s win put an end to one of the ugliest streaks in program history.
