The Syracuse Orange were unable to control the SMU Mustangs offense for a 2nd time this season as SMU powered to a 5-1 last night in Cary, NC.
Even though the Orange entered the game as the higher seed based on ACC finish, the 15th ranked Mustangs controlled play for the majority of the game. Syracuse did a good job of keeping it a scoreless game for most of the first half, but SMU got on the board in the final 8 minutes.
A 2nd SMU score in the final minute of the first half swung the game completely in their favor. With the Orange pressing to start the second half, SMU got two more goals in the first 15 minutes to put the game away. Syracuse avoided the shutout on a Nate Scott PK to make it a 5-1 final. The Mustangs advance to face Virginia in the Championship game.
Advertisement
Syracuse will now wait until Monday to learn if they have earned one of the 26 at-large spots in the NCAA Tournament. It appears as though the Orange will have a strong chance, depending on what happens with the automatic qualifiers.
Despite the rough evening, Syracuse goalie Tomas Hut’s outstanding season was good enough to earn him All-ACC Third Team honors. Hut finished 2nd in the ACC in both saves and shutouts.
Midfielder Landon Darko was named to All-ACC Rookie Team. Darko had three goals and two assists on the season for the Orange.
