FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 16, 2022) - Syracuse’s quest for its first national title in men’s soccer had never been closer than it was on Monday night. Standing on the other side of the field was Indiana, a program that had already won nine championships and played in 17 title games. In the end, fans and spectators alike were treated to one of the most memorable matches in recent times -- with the Orange earning its first star after overcoming the Hoosiers on penalty kicks.
Syracuse had cemented itself as one of the country’s premier teams all season long, finishing with a record of 19-2-4. Eleven US Youth Soccer (USYS) alumni helped round out the talented Orange roster and will now be immortalized in Syracuse history.
Nathan Opoku, the Orange’s leading scorer this season, delivered the first blow in this heavyweight matchup. His left-footed shot in the 24th minute was struck so perfectly that Indiana’s JT Harms could only stand and watch as it reached the top corner.
The Hoosiers responded not long after, something that’s become expected of a team with so much pedigree. Patrick McDonald’s first-time volley after an attempted Syracuse clearance stopped another keeper in their tracks, but this time it was the Orange’s Russell Shealy who was helpless.
Fueling more chaos into a frenzied first half, Curt Calov regained the lead for Syracuse just one minute later. Opoku again had a hand in the goal, providing an inviting cross that Calov poked into the back of the net.
Indiana, down 2-1, ramped up the pressure in the second half. It took until the 80th minute to get the tying goal, but Herbert Endeley, a former USYS National Championship Series (NCS) and Olympic Development Program (ODP) participant, fired off a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box that found the top left corner.
Two of the best teams in the country were unable to separate themselves in overtime, sending the National Championship to penalty kicks. ODP alumnus Russell Shealy was the hero for Syracuse after saving Indiana’s final penalty, setting up Amferny Sinclair’s spot-kick to be the title winner (7-6).
The 2022 Men’s College Cup was full of talented rosters, intriguing storylines, and was highlighted by 48 US Youth Soccer alumni.
Creighton
-
Jake Ashford^*
- Ryan Brakke^
- Dominic Briggs~^
- Jackson Castro~^
- Liam Gilligan*
- Sean Green~^
- Andrew Karcher*
- Duncan McGuire~^
- Luke Mitchell*
- Owen Nelson^*
- Owen O’Malley~
- Mark O’Neill^
- Nathan Schnur^
- Landon Sloan^*
- Luke Waters^
Indiana
-
Herbert Endeley^*
- Maouloune Goumballe^
- JT Harms*
- Karsen Henderlong^
- Austin Himebaugh^
- Lukas Hummel^
- Cooper Johnsen*
- Joey Maher*
- Tommy Mihalic^
- Daniel Munie^
- Emerson Nieto^
- Bryant Pratt~^
- Jack Wagoner^
- Ryan Wittenbrink~^
- Grant Yeagley^
Pittsburgh
-
Noah Hall~^
- Abraham Brown
- Luis Sahmkow^
- Josh Luchini~^*
- Mateo Stoka*
- Michael Sullivan^
- Andrew Noel^
Syracuse
-
Stephen Betz^*
- Lucas Daunhauer
- Jackson Glenn*
- Michal Gradus^
- Camden Holrook~^
- Jeorgio Kocevski*
- Francesco Pagano^
- Antonino Pagano^
- Tony Shaw^*
- Russell Shealy^
- Gavin Wigg^
* - US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program
^ - US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
~ - US Youth Soccer National League
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.
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