Cornell men’s soccer was the clear underdog entering a mid-week road contest with nationally ranked No. 11 Syracuse. And with seven freshmen starting for the Red, the odds were even less in Cornell’s favor.
Despite it all, junior Ryan Hill scored on a one-on-one chance in the overtime period to give Cornell the monumental upset victory over the Orange Tuesday night. The win is Cornell’s first over its upstate rival in 16 years.
“…in all honesty, I thought we created great chances,” said head coach John Smith, according to Cornell Big Red. “We got more shots on target. We had more shots and it worked and that’s all I ask from our guys. It requires no talent and yet they did a fantastic job of really working hard.”
The Red (2-3-1) held Syracuse to just three shots on goal throughout the contest, and senior goaltender Mitchell Meyer stopped each one that came his way.
“He made some excellent low saves and he just did a great job,” Smith said of Meyer. “Any through balls he was on quickly and he made some vital stops. He’s been patient and continues to be a positive influence in the locker room and the training facility. He’s been wonderful and he deserved to have a win tonight.”
Cornell, on the other hand, launched five shots at Syracuse’s Hendrik Hilpert, but it was the final shot in overtime off the foot of Hill that made the difference.
The victory was only the second for Cornell in its last 10 matchups with the Orange, and the second for the club in the 2017 season, doubling its 2016 total.
Now, the Red returns home with a major win under its belt to face St. Francis College Brooklyn Friday afternoon.
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