Two goals from senior forward Levonte Johnson led the Orange past nonconference opponent Bucknell in a 2-1 victory. Syracuse improves to 7-1-1 against nonconference foes this season and 12-2-1 on the season. It matches the most wins in a season since 2016.

Johnson put 'Cuse in front in the first ten minutes. Just three minutes later, the visitors tied the match at 1 with a strike from Charlie Homes. The Orange regained the lead in the 64th minute with Johnson's second goal of the evening. The senior forward and Hermann Trophy Preseason Watchlist member has seven goals on the season.

Syracuse controlled possession for the eternity of the match, taking 29 shots compared to Bucknell's eight. The Orange recorded 15 shots on goal while the Bison registered three. Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Russell Shealy recorded two saves, both coming in the first half. Bucknell's keeper Freddie Lapworth saved 12 shots, the most made by an opposition goalkeeper this season.

"I thought we played well today and created a lot of chances," head coach Ian McIntyre said after the 2-1 victory. "We kept playing and didn't get frustrated. Now we can concentrate on a couple of big ACC games."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Syracuse (12-2-1, 5-1-0 ACC) began the match on the front-foot, creating chances and breakaways with the linkup play of forwards Lorenzo Boselli, Nathan Opoku and Johnson. The first goal arrived in the ninth minute of action. In his first career start, junior defender Jackson Glenn hit a diagonal cross from his own half that split the defense and put Johnson through on goal. The Brampton, Ontario native took a touch and chipped the ball over the head of Bucknell's (2-12-0, 1-5-0 Patriot) Lapworth.

With so many Orange players committed to the attack, Bucknell found space on the counterattack. The Bison drew the score level at one as Holmes scored his first goal of the season. The goal marks Syracuse's eight goal conceded.

By the end of the first, Syracuse took 12 shots, while the visitors shot just five times. With regular midfielders Jeorgio Kocevski and Amferny Sinclair unavailable, Christian Curti and Colin Biros stepped up and controlled the midfield.

Syracuse crafted chances as soon as the match resumed. In the 51st minute, Johnson wrestled a ball off a Bucknell defender and had a path toward goal. His shot was blocked by Lapworth.

The Orange pulled ahead in the 64th minute of play. After Curti gathered the ball in midfield, the Ontario, Canada native spotted Johnson making a run toward goal. The veteran defensive midfielder fired a pass toward Johnson, who sprinted by Bison defenders toward goal. Johnson composed himself and shot the ball towards the bottom left corner. The multi-goal performance marks Johnson's first career collegiate brace.

Syracuse finished the match with 29 shots, which ties the season high against Penn State in August. 15 of those attempts were on goal, which is a season high for 'Cuse

OF NOTE:
Syracuse is 12-2-1 on the season. It matches the most win in a season since 2016.

Johnson recorded his first career brace (2-goal performance) against Bucknell.

Glenn made his first career start and tallied his first career assist.

The Orange have a +23-goal difference, which tops the ACC.

Syracuse went 7-1-1 against nonconference foes in 2022.

UP NEXT:
Syracuse has two matches remaining on the 2022 regular season. The Orange hit the road on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. for a match against NC State. 'Cuse concludes the regular season with a home match on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. against Boston College.