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Through 180 minutes this season, Syracuse has yet to give up a goal. It only conceded six total shots, leading to two wins. Though, SU’s back line remains intriguing. It includes a midfielder-turned-center-back, a highly-talented freshman and a senior who has worked his way up from 14 total minutes last season.

The trio of Sam Layton, Chimere Omeze and Andre Cutler-DeJesus has determined the pace of play for the Orange through the first two games and is proving to be the backbone of the team.

Despite having a completely new unit, Syracuse’s back line has become a cohesive unit and implemented balance into SU’s system. Sunday, it helped No. 25 Syracuse (2-0-0, Atlantic Coast Conference) cruise past Niagara (0-2-0, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) 3-0.

“It starts from the back,” Layton said postgame. “It starts when we’re attacking and making sure we can kill that counterattack.”

SU often plays through its back line when building its attacks. Head coach Ian McIntyre often pushes his center backs high up the field.

The Orange regularly feed one of the three near midfield to begin to set up shop in the offensive half. Layton quarterbacks in the middle, constantly looking for passing options. SU has outlets, whether it’s finding Nicholas Kaloukian in the middle of the field to make a play, or spreading the ball out wide to freshman speedster Sachiel Ming.

In the 26th minute of Syracuse’s match against Niagara Sunday, Layton chose the latter. Nathan Scott weaved through the middle, and passed to Layton on the right side of the field near the centerline. With no hesitation, Layton pivoted in reverse, sending a long switch to Ming.

The freshman used his quick step, faking right and going left, which created just enough room against Purple Eagles defender Jeremy Talsma for Ming to dish to Ezra Widman with his left foot. Widman had an easy shot and drilled it into the back of the net, putting SU up 1-0.

Using its defenders to feed the middle created more dangerous chances for Syracuse. It got the ball to its playmakers in the final third often. As time dwindled down in the first half, Omeze took the middle lane to Kristjan Fortier, who was darting in toward the box.

Fortier received the ball and Niagara immediately committed both defenders to him. Fortier tapped the ball through to Daniel Burko, who whiffed. Ernest Bawa was there to clean it up, but the shot was blocked in front. Even though they didn’t score, the Orange created havoc in front by using the middle.

On defense, Syracuse locked up the middle against Niagara, not letting the Purple Eagles sniff any scoring chances. After Widman’s goal, SU controlled the pace against Niagara for the next five minutes. But the Purple Eagles forced a turnover and generated an attack.

With Talsma speeding through the middle, the defender looked down low to create a quick scoring opportunity. Layton, however, had other ideas. He read the feed perfectly and cut off the lane to knock the ball away, immediately creating offense for Syracuse.

“We’re in the attacking team’s face at all times, relentless defense,” Layton said. “It’s just the way we are as a Syracuse team.”

On another rush, Felix Kogler, Niagara’s top scorer last season, had the ball on the outside. Elton Chifamba trailed behind with pressure and forced Kogler to cut to the middle, right into Cutler-DeJesus. The Orange mainly attempted to keep Niagara out of the middle. But at times, SU forced Niagara into central areas to allow for its center backs to shut the door.

The Purple Eagles broke through once for a scoring chance in the 15th minute. Kogler had the ball deep in the corner, and forced a desperate cross to the box. The ball deflected off of Layton, right to Gianluca Del Priore. He had a clear shot, but SU goalkeeper Tomas Hut made a diving save to thwart the opportunity.

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In transition, Syracuse’s back line plays a huge role as well, especially on defense. The Orange consistently regrouped quickly when they turned the ball over. They shut down any chance Niagara had to gain an edge in space, allowing them to get the ball right back.

“I think the boys did really, really well today,” Layton said. “As a back line, you always have to worry about if we turn the ball over, we’ve got to make sure we’re organized, that way we can keep them in and keep the attack going.”

Along with setting up the offense, Omeze finishes as well for the back line, already producing two out of SU’s four goals this season. Against Niagara, Omeze was positioned at the back post all alone. Chifamba fired his free kick right at Omeze, who knocked in the header.

In his goal against Colgate, Omeze sank down low to join the attack and switched with midfielder Gabe Threadgold. Threadgold worked the ball to the other side of the field to Scott, who then distributed to Omeze at the back post for the score.

For a team with 22 new players, cohesion can’t be understated. But with a tight back line, Syracuse has found the backbone of its team.

Published on August 26, 2024 at 10:55 pm

Contact Nick: nsjepson@syr.edu