Missed opportunities haunt Syracuse women’s soccer in 2-1 loss to Niagara
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It was too little, too late.
With just over 90 seconds remaining, a sprinting Ali Howard dished a cross to Moo Galbus. Galbus slotted the ball into the left side of the net, scoring her first career goal in 26 appearances.
It was Syracuse’s 11th shot of the game, while Niagara had just seven. With that discrepancy, you’d think Galbus’ goal would’ve tied or won the game for SU.
But that wasn’t the case. Despite Galbus’ late goal, the Orange wasted several scoring opportunities throughout the game, and trailed 2-1 as the clock ticked down.
Syracuse packed the box in the final minute hoping to complete a miraculous comeback, but Kendall Mesh’s shot — essentially a prayer — was high right, spelling a fitting end to SU’s miserable offensive night.
Missed offensive opportunities haunted Syracuse (3-1-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) in its 2-1 loss to Niagara (2-1-0, 0-0-0 Metro) Thursday. The Orange outshot the Purple Eagles 12-7 and had four corners to their one, but erratic and wide shots led to their first loss of 2026.
“I don’t think we were there from the start,” Galbus said. “I think we made a mistake (allowing a goal two minutes in) from the start, and we were chasing ever since the first two minutes. It was kind of hard to get back from that.”
Syracuse’s offense entered Thursday with a pulse. Against Princeton Sunday, SU scored three goals, two coming in a 21-second span. Transfers Vickie Jones and Farrah Stephens-Martin scored along with Abby Incorvaia.
Even with games like Sunday, Syracuse’s offense was bound to experience growing pains this season. Its top-three scorers from 2025 departed, forcing SU head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams and Co. to rely on freshmen and transfers to fill their void.
Howard, a Tennessee transfer, had the Orange’s best scoring chance of the first half. After receiving a kick from Bree Bridges, Howard was well-positioned inside the box, ready to pounce.
Yet, as the case was all game, she misfired. Wide right.
Gabby Wisbeck was heavily involved on offense early and had ample chances to score throughout the night. Late in the first half, she tested Niagara goalie Julia Poissant – who had 10 saves against SU last season – but her shot was low and saved.
“Gabby’s a captain. We expect a lot from her,” Adams said. “She’s very versatile, where we can play her on the outside or on the inside. I thought she had some great moments in service and had an opportunity to score for us but just wasn’t technically clean about it. Gabby put in quite a few minutes tonight and played well.”
Set pieces were Syracuse’s forte to start the season. In SU’s season-opening draw against Villanova, it had seven first-half corner kicks.
Against Holy Cross three days later, its second-half goals came on a free kick and penalty. In its thrilling 1-0 victory over Northwestern on Aug. 20, Incorvaia’s game-winner was a penalty kick.
On Thursday, however, the Orange couldn’t convert on any of their four corners.
Sloppiness also plagued SU. From errant crosses to turnovers, Syracuse’s sustained possessions amounted to nothing.
A minute and a half into the second frame, the Orange did nearly tie the game. Jasmine Nixon, who scored against Holy Cross, had a solid look blocked. Four seconds later, Jones missed high.
Jones had been Syracuse’s offensive engine entering Thursday, leading it with three goals. Without her production, SU had little hope.
Adams frequently made substitutions to try to spark the offense when it was flat, but aside from subbing in Galbus, they weren’t successful. Lauren Christy came off the bench to play 34 minutes but wasn’t productive. Christy had a shot on goal midway through the second half, though weakly rolled the ball to Poissant.
With Niagara up 2-0 in the 83rd minute, Anna Croyle looked to ignite the Orange’s offense. But her shot sailed far above the net, shattering SU’s brief momentum.
Galbus finally provided Syracuse life late, proving at least one of Adams’ substitutions worked. Her goal made it 2-1, giving the Orange momentum temporarily.
“It felt really good, but I know that we had to keep going and get another goal,” Galbus said of her first-career score. “I just wanted to get quickly back to the line and start us up again.”
Galbus’ wish didn’t come true, and SU looked discombobulated on its final possession. Just take it from Adams.
“I thought we were missing one final pass. We were getting there and then just making poor decisions for that last ball,” she said.
