VESTAL, N.Y. - Freshman Jordan Vale scored his first collegiate goal in the second period, and freshman goalkeeper Alex Bono completed his second consecutive shutout as the Orange men's soccer team (2-0-0) held on to defeat Binghamton, 1-0, on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The victory at the Bearcats Sports Complex marks the first time Syracuse has started a campaign with a 2-0 record since 2006.
Both sides were stifled by sound goalkeeping in the first half. The best chance of the opening period for SU came in the 20th minute, when senior Ted Cribley sent a brilliant ball into the box that just missed a charging Vale. Freshman Stefanos Stamoulacatos had another solid chance in the 32nd minute, but a diving save from Bearcat goalie Logan Calvey preserved the clean sheet in the opening frame.
Binghamton (0-2-0) also had its chances. In the 30th minute, Jake Keegan made a run at the goal, but Bono made a jumping save to terminate the threat.
Syracuse outshot BU, 8-6 and held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks during the first period. The Orange finished with a 15-11 edge in shots.
Sophomore defender Skylar Thomas helped keep the Bearcats off of the scoreboard in the 57th minute with a well-timed slide that deflected a Binghamton shot from inside of the box. Three minutes later, sophomore Jordan Murrell sent a high corner kick into the box, which found Vale, who headed the ball into the right side of the net for a goal. The go-ahead tally was Vale's first of his collegiate career.
Bono's three saves helped him preserved his second consecutive clean sheet. A true freshman has not recorded consecutive shutouts to start the season since Robert Cavicchia accomplished the feat in 2005. The Orange has also not allowed a goal in its first two matches of a campaign since 2007.
SU is back in action against Niagara on Friday, Aug. 31. Game time for the match is 7 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. Admission is free.
Game Notes: Syracuse defeated Binghamton for the first time in three tries … Orange rookies once again made their presence felt, as Bono shutout the Bearcats and Vale registered the game-winning goal … Murrell's helper was his first career assist.
