Boston College Athletics
Cleary Leads Men's Soccer over #22 Syracuse, 1-0
October 22, 2000 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2000
Junior Chris Cleary's goal in the 34th minute lifted the Boston College men's soccer team over 22nd-ranked Syracuse, 1-0, in a crucial BIG EAST match-up. The Eagles moved to 6-3-1 in the league and 7-6-1 overall with the win. Senior keeper Chris Hamblin made four saves for his sixth shutout of the season, all in BIG EAST play.
In a physical match-up that featured 35 fouls, Cleary's third game-winning goal of the season made the difference as the Eagle defense shut down the Syracuse attack, limiting it to only 14 shots.
Cleary picked up freshman back Kenny Adams' outlet pass from the backfield and dribbled downfield for the score. He beat BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Kevin Bacher in the upper left corner for the decisive score.
With four goals in 2000, Cleary equaled his career total of four over his first two years of play. Adams' assist was the first of his career.
The game ended a stretch that saw the team play four straight games against teams ranked in the top-25 by the National Soccer Coaches of America Association. The win gave the Eagles' their fifth point against those teams in the last four games. On Oct. 11, they tied then top-rankedConnecticut, 1-1. Four days later on Oct. 15, they defeated then seventh-ranked Pittsburgh, 1-0. On Friday, the team fell in a tough-luck, 1-0, overtime contest to 12th-ranked St. John's.
The Eagles return to action on Friday, Oct. 27 when they play their final BIG EAST game of the season against Georgetown at the Newton Campus Soccer Field at 2 p.m.
At Syracuse, N.Y.
Boston College (7-6-1, 6-3-1 BIG EAST) 1 0 - 1 Syracuse (8-5-2, 4-4-2 BIG EAST) 0 0 - 0Scoring - BC: Chris Cleary (Kenny Adams) 33:09.
Shots - BC: 11. SU: 14.
Goalkeeper saves - BC: Chris Hamblin 4. SU: Kevin Bacher 4.
Corner kicks - BC: 3. SU: 5.
