Emil Ekblom tallied his fifth game winner of the season, giving Syracuse the OT win against Va Tech.
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- No. 9 Syracuse defeated Virginia Tech in a thrilling 1-0 overtime match on Saturday. With nine victories in ten matches, the Orange matches its best start to a season in program history.
Emil Ekblom tallied his sixth goal of the season in the 107th minute of the match. The goal was his fifth game-winner of 2014, after finishing 2013 without a single game-winning goal. Ekblom was able to capitalize on a cross for Oyvind Alseth, finishing a header into the top right corner of the net.
Junior goalkeeper Alex Bono stopped seven shots in the match, not allowing a goal for the ninth time in ten matches. Bono hasn't allowed a goal since the second half of the Notre Dame match on Sept. 13, totaling 482:31 minutes. He also opened the season with a stretch of 434:05 minutes without a goal. Bono's nine shutouts is also the best in the NCAA.
Forward Ricardo Jon led the attack for Virginia Tech, tallying six shots in the match. Jon controlled the ball in the attacking third and facilitated the majority of the Hokies' scoring chances. Ben Lundgaard stopped two shots, only allowing the one goal in the second half of the overtime period.
Liam Callahan had a breakout performance, recording two shots on goal from his defensive midfield position. Callahan has started every match for the Orange this season since transferring from Villanova after his freshman season.
The Orange tallied 10 shots in the match, while Virginia Tech had 11 shots. The Orange also earned nine corners as opposed to 10 by Virginia Tech.
