Syracuse Orange men's soccer captured their first NCAA Tournament championship Monday night by defeating eight-time champions the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2022 Men's College Cup Final at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC.
The two teams couldn't be separated in regular time with the game level at 2-2.
Sophomore striker Nathan Opoku opened the scoring for Syracuse in the 24th minute with a left-footed curler into the far corner.
24' I THE ORANGE STRIKE FIRST ‼️#MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/InMBKgOKnG
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2022
But Indiana leveled in just eight minutes after a corner kick ended up at the feet of sophomore midfielder Patrick McDonald.
32' I McDonald and @IndianaMSOC tie this game up !!
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2022
Syracuse's response was even quicker. Just a minute after Indiana equalized, the Orange regained the lead after Opoku's cross was turned home by sophomore midfielder Curt Calov.
32' I CALOV WITH THE RESPONSE PUTS THE ORANGE BACK ON TOP
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2022
Indiana needed to find one in the second half, and that vital strike finally arrived in the 80th minute. This is senior striker Herbert Endeley — former Mr. Soccer for the state of Minnesota — with a banger, 2-2.
WHAT A STRIKE
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 13, 2022
80' I @IndianaMSOC TIES IT UP ‼️
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 13, 2022
After two scoreless periods of extra time, we went to a shootout. Here's all the drama.
Re-watch all the PKs that propelled @CuseMSOC to its first National Championship! #MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/hN4NOXYlVK
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 13, 2022
Syracuse won in sudden death, 7-6, with some stone-cold finishing. Senior Levonte Johnson went crossbar down with the penultimate penalty, and then fellow senior Amferny Sinclair made no mistake with the winner. The hero between the sticks for Syracuse was redshirt senior Russell Shealy.
Russell Shealy is the Defensive MOP!!!
Congratulations to Nathan Opoku on being named the 2022 Most Outstanding Offensive Player of The NCAA Tournament! #MCollegeCup x @CuseMSOC pic.twitter.com/Y2vC3KqER1— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 13, 2022
Way to go ‘Cuse.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
For the first time in program history @CuseMSOC are #MCollegeCup Champions! pic.twitter.com/5ThqYNUY7g— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 13, 2022
