Grey, Gulli have surpassed 2025’s attack. How’d SU fix its scoring problem?
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Syracuse’s forwards scored three goals last year. That’s not a typo.
Michael Acquah, Emanuel Cappello, Bright Nutornutsi, Callum Lugton and Sachiel Ming combined for just three. Two came from Ming, who often plays midfield. So, of SU’s four true forwards, only Acquah scored. Once.
To make amends, head coach Ian McIntyre added three strikers in the offseason: Jordan Grey, Pedro Gulli and Dakota Jonke. Grey (two goals, one assist), Gulli (two goals) and Landon Darko (one goal) have already exceeded SU’s forward production last season. Including Ming’s two assists, SU’s forwards have contributed to eight of its 10 goals this season.
Badr Laghjibi (two assists) or Bryson Rodriguez (two goals, two assists) often plays attacking midfield in a 3-5-2 formation behind the two strikers. With their support, the front three has been reliable throughout early-season play, and they’ll be the focus as Syracuse opens Atlantic Coast Conference play against No. 18 Clemson Friday.
“It’s working with guys, it’s getting the right combination,” McIntyre said of his approach. “But Bryson gave important goals from midfield. We’ve got some depth up front, but we’ve got the ability to score from a number of positions.”
SU’s four goal contributions from attackers in 2025 were the lowest across McIntyre’s 16 years and fewest in the ACC by six, behind Clemson’s 10.
Zoey Grimes | Design Editor
It underscored a trend for the Orange. Since Nathan Opoku and Levonte Johnson lit up the NCAA in 2022 with 11 goals each, Syracuse has relied on midfielders for goals. Carlos Zambrano in 2025 and Gabe Threadgold in 2024. Over the last three seasons, the only forward to lead SU in scoring was Nicholas Kaloukian in 2023, and he was tied for most goals with midfielder Lorenzo Boselli with six each.
But through nonconference play in 2026, it seems the Orange found a happy medium. The creativity of midfielders Rodriguez and Laghjibi in the center has allowed Grey, Ming and Gulli to drift wide before passing into the half-space or shooting on goal.
“We like to play down the wing,” Grey said. “I know that once it gets down the wing, I have to get there at the front pole.”
Both of Grey’s goals this year were scored off crosses at the near post. The first came when Nathan Scott freed space on the left wing behind UConn’s defense for Ming, who placed a low driven cross into the box. Grey, Ming’s striking partner at the time, cashed in. He placed the ball neatly between UConn goalkeeper Kyle Durham’s legs.
Grey’s second goal of the season against New Hampshire was assisted by Dario White, who joined the match off the bench. White pushed up from his initial spot as a left midfielder and put a cross in, which Grey headed home. Ming and Grey, who have spent 146 minutes together up front, lead Syracuse in key passes per game with 1.8 and 1.5, respectively, per Sofascore.
Alongside attacking fluidity, McIntyre’s mindset with his bench is another factor in the forwards’ success so far.
“Coach always talks about, ‘when you’re a sub, just be ready,’” Laghjibi said postgame Friday. “When you come in, play your part, even if you don’t start, you still might be playing more minutes than the starter.
“Just understanding that once you go in, it’s your time to shine. And all of us understand that.”
Syracuse forward Jordan Grey scans the Loyola defense in SU’s 2-0 win over the Greyhounds on Aug. 28. Grey has scored two goals and logged one assist in his first four games with the Orange. Tara Deluca | Photo Editor
Substitutes scored or assisted six of the Orange’s 10 goals this season, and Laghjibi, alongside White, is one of the foremost examples. Against Loyola, Laghjibi came off the bench in the 24th minute for Grey at striker. In just over 10 minutes, he assisted two goals. Both stemmed from Laghjibi drifting toward the right flank, widening the field.
Syracuse isn’t nailed into a rigid structure.
The Orange have started three games in the aforementioned 3-5-2, but it frequently functions as a 4-4-2. Chimere Omeze — who, as a defender, was SU’s second-highest goalscorer last year — lends an attacking hand, while Ming drops back to help the midfield or defense.
“Understand that we can keep on going,” Lagjibi said postgame Friday. “Every time we lost the ball, we gained it right back. We keep pressing, keep stepping on them.”
That night, alongside 22 shots, the Orange kept 63% possession and notched 3.06 expected goals to Loyola’s 0.03. With Syracuse’s toughest test yet in Clemson approaching, it’ll have to do the same.
