Syracuse Back to Winning Ways with Upset Over No. 22 UNC

Syracuse defeated No. 22 UNC 1-0 to earn its second win over a ranked opponent and hand the Tar Heels their first ACC loss of the season at SU Soccer Stadium on Senior Day.

A first-half goal from Landon Darko was enough for the Orange to take all three points and earn their seventh win of the season. Despite Chimere Omeze being shown a red card in the last seven minutes of the match, Syracuse was able to see out the 1-0 win with 10 men.

Carlos Zambrano was essential in Syracuse's attack, showcasing his individual quality. In the 36th minute, he assisted Darko's third goal of the season.

Giona Leibold found Zambrano down the left side, who controlled the ball on his chest, flicked it over his defender, and was in behind UNC's backline. As he drove forward, he shook off a recovering defender, and with the help of a Sachiel Ming run through the center, both attracted six UNC players to the ball. Zambrano spotted Darko unmarked on the back post and squared the ball to Darko for him to finish.

Syracuse heavily favored its left side going forward. Leibold was threatening in attack, consistently taking on his man, either beating them or getting that half-yard of space to put service into the box.

On multiple occasions, Zambrano drifted wide from central areas to link up with Leibold, with Ming also joining at times. While the left side of the field was overloaded, Darko consistently made himself an option either from forward runs through the or in the box when the ball has been worked out wide.

There was a lot of direct play throughout the match. It was important for Syracuse to win the first and second balls in midfield, and the Orange did just that. Once the second ball was won, players were already flying forward.

Zambrano was instrumental in winning the second balls and keeping play in the attacking third.

He was also the outlet to relieve pressure by picking up those pockets in the half space on the left side, which caused problems for UNC's backline. Zambrano's individual quality to beat players one-on-one and be that creative spark for Syracuse proved vital.

As Syracuse looked to see out the match, Omeze picked up a straight red in the 83rd minute. He slid into a challenge with his studs high up on the ankle of UNC's Charlie Antonelius, and it was a deserved sending off. Omeze has started every game this season and will serve a one-game suspension against NC State.

Tomas Hut came up big once again with a crucial save in the 87th minute to keep the lead intact. Luka Nikolai cut in from the right side and curled one with his left foot that was destined for the top corner, as Hut tipped the ball over the bar with one hand at full extension.

Syracuse now has four wins in the ACC, doubling last year's total. The Orange sit fourth in the ACC on 12 points, though they've played one more game than the teams around them. The last time the Orange had four ACC wins was their national title-winning season in 2022.

Coach McIntyre praised the contributions of players new to the ACC and said he was proud of how they stepped up.

"We had guys playing out of position just to get us over that line," he said. 

He listed several players and was proud of his team for bouncing back on senior day.

"Our guys were terrific," he said. "We'll probably be physically a mess for a few days because that's what you've got to go all in to try to pick up points in this league."

Syracuse will travel to No. 3 NC State on Friday. The Wolfpack are 10-1-3 overall and 3-1-2 in the ACC. NC State plays Duke on Saturday night. 

Previously Published on CuseNation for 247 Sports