What to watch for: 7 sports teams play this weekend
Last weekend, every Syracuse home team emerged from its games victorious. Volleyball completed a 2-0 road trip and, despite having 23 shots, women’s soccer lost while visiting Buffalo by a score of 1-0.
This weekend, six SU teams are back in action while softball starts its fall slate. Men’s soccer and football draw conference foes at home, field hockey plays a game with high national-ranking stakes on the line and volleyball tries to stay unbeaten in Brooklyn, New York.
Men’s Soccer
Opponent: Louisville
Where: SU Soccer Stadium
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
After struggling offensively for the first half of its last game against Rutgers, Syracuse got some much-needed help from its wings as Korab Syla and Liam Callahan lifted the SU men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory.
Syracuse (3-1) will need that help, both on offense and to rotate back on defense, when SU plays its first Atlantic Coast Conference game against No. 23 Louisville (3-1).
More: SU wings Korab Syla and Liam Callahan provide added scoring threat
Football
Opponent: Wake Forest
Where: Carrier Dome
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
The Orange (1-0) kicks off its ACC schedule with the only conference opponent it beat in 2014, the Demon Deacons (1-0). With a tough conference schedule looming in the future, the Orange can capitalize against an easier opponent.
This game also marks the first start for true freshman quarterback Eric Dungey after Terrel Hunt suffered a season-ending injury. By the way, we want to know how you think Dungey will do this season.
More: All The Daily Orange’s coverage of Syracuse-Wake Forest
Field Hockey
Opponent: North Carolina
Where: J.S. Coyne Stadium
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Heading into a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup this weekend, the lower-ranked Syracuse (4-0) has something prove against North Carolina (4-0). So far this season, the Orange’s defense has shut out two teams and allowed five or fewer shots in three of its four games. The defense has been stellar, but how?
More: How Syracuse’s defense has stifled opponents this season
Women’s Soccer
Opponents: Cornell and Colgate
Where: SU Soccer Stadium
When: Friday, 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Jessica Vigna practiced set pieces earlier in the week, yelling “One more!” until she got it right. The Orange has struggled to execute on set pieces run from the corner, despite totaling 11 in its last loss. The team averages over seven corner kicks per game as well. Syracuse (2-4) will need better execution if it hopes to knock Cornell (3-0-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten.
More: Syracuse looks to break corner kick struggles against Cornell
Volleyball
Opponents: Arizona, Ohio State, Long Island University
Where: Brooklyn, New York
When: Friday, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
With the game tied in a crucial third set against Georgia, Nicolette Serratore attacked from the service line. Six consecutive SU points, and four Serratore aces directly aimed at struggling Georgia players, led to the win. It’s partly why Syracuse (5-0) is still unbeaten heading into the LIU Blackbird Invitational, which takes place this weekend in Brooklyn, New York.
More: Nicolette Serratore uses relaxed demeanor to excel at serving
Softball
Opponent: Cornell, Binghamton
Where: Binghamton, New York
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The softball team begins its fall slate, which means new head coach Mike Bosch will have his first games, albeit exhibition ones, at the helm of his team. The team returns many of its starters from a season ago.
Cross Country
What: Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational
Where: University Park, Pennsylvania
When: Friday, 5:30 p.m.
The Orange — the men’s team is ranked as the third-best cross-country team nationally — will race in its second meet of the season Friday when it travels to Pennsylvania State University to race in the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational.