SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse took down their in-city rivals Le Moyne 2-0, avenging a defeat in the side’s first-ever matchup.
In front of a packed SU Soccer Stadium, Syracuse surged with two early second-half goals.
Freshman defender Gabriel Oksanen opened the scoring two minutes into the half with an olimpico, stunning the Dolphins defense.
“We needed something a little bit special to beat their goalkeeper tonight,” Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said. “It was a really important time to score that goal.”
Syracuse had a notable advantage in possession and outshot their cross-town rivals 29-8.
The SU attack was spearheaded by sophomore Landon Darko, who recorded two shots and an assist.
The Orange’s second goal started with a stretch pass to Darko, who found sophomore Bryson Rodriguez alone in the box.
Rodriguez slotted the ball under Dolphins goalkeeper Wyatt Dupell and gave Syracuse some added cushion.
Le Moyne had only allowed three goals to that point in the season.
Syracuse goalkeeper Juan Martinez-Bastidas’ six saves maintained the clean sheet.
The sophomore keeper has yet to allow a goal in his four appearances this season.
The win moves Syracuse to 6-3 on the year and avenges their 2024 shutout loss to Dupell and the Dolphins.
“It doesn’t matter where you play derbies,” McIntyre said. “There’s that kind of intensity, that kind of electricity and that was there tonight.”
The Orange travel to Indiana for their next match on Sept. 25 against Notre Dame.