HAMILTON – Jonathan Jones let out a huge grunt. The junior was frustrated. The Syracuse men’s soccer team had just squandered an offensive rush with four minutes remaining in the first half of Wednesday’s game, and Jones did what the rest of his teammates all wanted to do – scream.

Colgate shut out Syracuse, 1-0, on Wednesday at Van Doren Field, the third straight game Syracuse has gone without a goal. It’s been more than 357 minutes since the Orange last scored a goal, which came Sept. 14 against Oneonta. That game was the beginning of a pivotal four-game road trip.

It ended up being the only goal Syracuse scored in four games on the road.

‘We realize we’re not scoring any,’ freshman midfielder James Goodwin said. ‘But we’re trying to keep our game plan and knock some balls forward and try to shoot a lot more. We’re not shooting enough.’

Syracuse has scored only five goals in eight games so far this season. The defense has limited opponents to nine. But the problem remains on offense.

Wednesday was no different. And, clearly, the players are frustrated.

‘We can’t get the finishing we need off the chances,’ midfielder Mike McCallion said. ‘Today, the effort needed to be there more.’

Syracuse’s best chance to score came on a header by Jeff Evans with 18:20 remaining. In the box, Evans took a serve and forced it toward the net. It skirted dangerously close but outside the far post.

Colgate’s Jonathan Cook scored in the 50th minute off a broken play for the game’s only goal. Reed Grimes and Travis Rains were credited with assists, but the play had as much to do with its randomness rather than a pure setup.

Syracuse seemed to let down immediately after the goal, but forced steady chances late in the game. While the Orange pressured on the Colgate end, it forced few shots on goal. Compared to previous games when Syracuse pressured and had numerous near-misses, the chances were less prevalent Wednesday.

The Orange seemed to be a step late on headers and loose balls. It committed an uncharacteristically high amount of turnovers on its usually consistent passing.

While everyone can diagnose the problem (scoring), the answers are hard to find.

The Orange continues to focus predominantly on offense in practice. But come game time, the same problems persist.

Senior forward Ryan Hickey said the coaching staff altered its formation slightly in order to generate more chances. And while the new formation generated chances, it has yet to produce goals.

‘We get shots on goal,’ Hickey said, ‘but they’re not really shots. They’re dribbles. They’re floaters that the keeper just grabs. It’s got to be better.’

Frustration is evident everywhere.

After the game, most of the players stood motionless on the field. Goalkeeper Alim Karim gathered his teammates for their postgame sprint.

It ended up being anything but that. The players completed it slowly, exiting the field still searching for answers – and a goal.

‘It’s real frustrating,’ Hickey said. ‘A lot of times when that kind of stuff happens, you get on a bad streak and it gets in your head. It starts taking over your thoughts. It feels like we’re just pressing way too much. And because of that, we’re not pressing enough. I don’t know. It’s weird.’

Published on September 29, 2004 at 12:00 pm