Syracuse stymied by Binghamton for 3rd consecutive draw
Syracuse's offense stalled against Binghamton on Thursday as it failed to score a goal for the second straight game, leading to its third tie of the season. Isaac Williams | Contributing Photographer
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The hallmark of a great team is its ability to pick up positive results even when playing poorly. Look no further than Syracuse’s 0-0 draw with Princeton last Sunday. Shea Vanderbosch stood on her head for the nth time.
On the road, especially against the 2024 Ivy League Champions, that’s a good result. It’s something to build on. So at home against Interstate 81 rival Binghamton — a team it hasn’t lost to in 20 years — Syracuse needed to find its way over the line. The Bearcats had other ideas.
In the pouring rain, Syracuse (3-1-3, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) starred defensively again but couldn’t break through Binghamton (4-1-1, 0-0-0 America East) in its 0-0 draw. The Bearcats haven’t beaten Syracuse since 2005. Though for the third match in a row, Syracuse was unable to pull ahead in a game that could’ve gone any way.
“We didn’t start well, but I thought once we got a hang of the game, we were really moving it and changing the point of attack,” head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said. “We had a hard time getting our forwards and connecting. Definitely uncharacteristic of what we’ve been doing all year.”
From the get-go, Binghamton wanted to test SU’s build-out play from the restart. In its 3-5-2 formation, Syracuse lives and dies by circulating the ball in its back third to create openings in front.
Binghamton’s front three of Jahkaya Davis, Paige Luke and Alexus Worrell realized that and waited at the edge of the 18-yard box, sprinting after the center backs once Vanderbosch laid it off to one. The Bearcats’ persistent pressure nearly led to a Bella Brown screamer from 25 yards out.
“I don’t think we really stuck to our identity tonight. Defended pretty well, but then we kept giving the ball away, and we didn’t have the defending to attack mentality that we’ve been so good at,” Adams said.
But as the game progressed, Vanderbosch opted to go long out wide and into the channel. With the ball in Binghamton territory, the Bearcats’ pressure eased, and SU was allowed to play and create quality chances.
A great ball from Mia Klammer’s found the head of Emma Klein, but the Bearcats’ Rebecca Kessler stood in the way. Seconds later, Ashley Rauch had a go, which was saved over for a corner.
Yet, even with sustained possession, SU didn’t find a breakthrough — allowing Binghamton to claw back into the game. Megan Baker matched Klammer’s delivery to find Anna Buckwalter, who couldn’t connect cleanly.
Off the left flank, Julia Arbelalez saw her strike ring off the crossbar. With minutes to spare in the first half, Luke went close inside the six-yard box but only gave Vanderbosch a routine save — one of six in the first half.
Because of how successful the Binghamton press was in the first half, SU’s first goal kick in the second half was blasted long by Bree Bridges, which is inconsistent with Syracuse’s previous game plans.
A handball penalty shout halted proceedings, but the referee saw no infringement. It was a game of almost for Syracuse.
Then, Binghamton had its golden chance. A ricochet landed perfectly at the feet of Luke with only Vanderbosch to beat, but she pulled the Bearcats’ best chance wide.
Both teams pressed and pressed for a final chance as the clock dwindled. Yet neither team could nick it at the end. The tie marked four clean sheets in seven games for the Orange. You can’t lose if you don’t concede. However, you also can’t win if you don’t score. And for SU, in its last few matches, has found that cliché ring true.
“I’m not frustrated. We got two goals taken away at Quinnipiac that were actually goals. You score a goal against Princeton that was clearly over the line and they don’t call it, that’s two wins,” Adams said. “It’s unfortunate. We need to be better in the final third and make the most of our opportunities. We just weren’t sharp today.”
