New York State In-depth

Red Men’s Soccer is hoping for another winning streak in four games against rivals Syracuse on Tuesday

The Red Men’s Soccer team (4-1) have won four times in a row and want to take that momentum into Tuesday’s twilight game against rivals Syracuse University (4-3). The Battle of Central New York begins at 7:00 p.m. at Berman Field, where Cornell’s elf will attempt to capture regional pride and beat the Orange at home for the first time since 1998. The Reds have a 32-19-5 life record against Syracuse – and will try to avenge a 3-2 loss in the final session in 2019.

After falling in double overtime against Wake Forest in the first game of the year, Cornell has taken impressive non-conference wins at High Point against St. Joseph’s against UC Santa Barbara and at Fairleigh Dickinson.

An integral part of the team’s high-octane attack was senior midfielder Tyler Bagley, who has already scored six goals, two assists and 14 points this season. Bagley’s scoring earned him the Ivy League Player of the Week and Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week on September 14th. His average of 1.25 goals per game ranks second in all of NCAA Division One football.

The consistency and improved cohesion of the defense have also helped Cornell’s success this season. Junior goalkeeper Brady McSwain started all five games with an average of 3.6 saves and 1.52 goals conceded. McSwain has teamed up well with senior defender Nick Allen as well as three new faces in the starting XI – second defenders Kisa Kiingi, Mateo Rodriguez and Wilson Eisner.

This defensive group is on friendly terms away from the soccer field, which improves their communication.

“The way we consider each other as close friends improves our chemistry a lot,” said Rodriguez.

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On Saturday afternoon, the Reds traveled to Madison, New Jersey to meet Fairleigh Dickinson (2-4-1). The improved chemistry of the defensive line was fully visible and only held the opponent with three shots on goal. The Reds went away with a 3-1 win. The defense unit will face a tougher test against an explosive attack in Syracuse on Tuesday.

The Syracuse Orange (4-3) enter the competition after winning three of their last four, but suffer a double 5-4 loss to Louisville in overtime. The Orange will test Cornell’s defense averaging 2.57 goals per game on the feet of two lower tier strikers – second Deandre Kerr and newcomer Curt Calov.

It will be especially important to keep an eye on Kerr. The Ajax, Ontario native has been flashing lately, scoring seven goals in his last four games. Kerr also played with pinpoint accuracy; 70.8 percent of his shots went on goal this season. Calov, on the other hand, has made an impressive entry into college football, scoring four goals in just two starts.

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The orange will bring a defense that has looked fragile at times this season. Syracuse has struggled to choose each ranger, switching between senior Lucas Daunhauer and junior Russell Shealy. Daunhauer has started the last four games and only conceded one goal in his first three appearances. In the team’s most recent game against Louisville, however, he allowed five goals. The shaky performance could mean Shealy returns in goal. The junior started in the first three games of the season, conceded four goals and collected five saves.

Syracuse will come to Berman Field with a dynamic offensive and a restless defensive. Fans should prepare for a competitive, scoring affair. The Reds averaged 2.8 goals per game this season and will look to capitalize on their opponents’ recent defensive problems.

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