For nearly two years, the script has been the same for Syracuse: Compete hard in a conference game, lose in a heartbreaking fashion, rinse, repeat. On Friday night, the Orange outshot, out-defended and outplayed No. 22 Virginia Tech, then Nico Quashie scored a doorstep shot that goalie Hendrik Hilpert had no chance of stopping and the cycle repeated.

Quashie’s strike came in the second overtime in the games 108th minute and propelled No. 22 Virginia Tech (6-2-2, 1-2-1 Atlantic Coast) past Syracuse (3-4-1, 0-3-0), 1-0, at Sandra D. Thompson Field in Blacksburg, Virginia. SU has now gone 713 days without winning a conference game.

“When you put everything into a game, emotionally, physically, and you lay it all out there,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said, “and it doesn’t go your way, it becomes very difficult.”

The Orange botched a fast start. Senior midfielder Jonathan Hagman had a shot go wide in the game’s second minute. It was one of four scoring chances for SU, all which failed to challenge Virginia Tech’s Mathijs Swaneveld. The Hokies responded with seven first-half shots, though Hilpert was only needed for one of the attempts.

In the second half, Syracuse’s offense grew stronger. It totaled 14 shots in the second frame, including a three-shot sequence in a 23-second burst that ended with freshman Ryan Raposo sailing a shot hight. Sophomore forward Tajon Buchanan spoiled regulation’s last premium opportunity, as he pushed his shot wide.

“Second half, I thought we played some of our best stuff of the year,” McIntyre said. “We didn’t capitalize on them. When we were on top of the game, we just didn’t take those chances.”

The home team dominated overtime. The Hokies recorded all five shots in the extra 18 minutes. SU’s wasted it’s lone offensive try after Buchanan was called offsides. Then Camron Lennon found space to Hilpert’s left and fired a shot that was deflected to Quashie.

After a swing of his right leg, it was over. A few Syracuse players looked at each other, bewildered. Quashie discarded his jersey and was mobbed by the Hokies bench. SU was left staring a familiar picture.

“For us to get nothing out of this game is a little tough on the guys,” McIntyre said. “… I thought we were the better team. But goals change matches. Ultimately, today they scored one and we didn’t.”

The Orange travels to Akron, Ohio to play the Zips (3-3-1) on Monday at 7 p.m., before returning home for No. 1 Wake Forest (9-0, 3-0 ACC) next Friday.

Published on September 28, 2018 at 10:49 pm

Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez