Men's Soccer

Syracuse enjoys improved depth heading into opener against Niagara

Daily Orange File Photo

Chris Nanco mostly started this season, and is now part of a front line that carries plenty of depth heading into the 2014 season.

Of the 50 goals and assists Syracuse recorded in 2013, only four came from players who typically came off the bench.

Noah Rhynhart, Brandon Albert and the now-departed Grant Chong were the only three players to see significant minutes as substitutes for a team that relied heavily on at set defense and young attack.

Fast-forward one year and Syracuses depth is greatly improved. Head coach Ian McIntyre said hes comfortable playing 17 or 18 players from this roster in the course of a game. SUs depth is something that highlighted its undefeated preseason, and could be on display when the Orange opens the regular season against Niagara at SU Soccer Stadium at 2 p.m. on Friday. 

Thanks to a few additions and the growth of Syracuses returning young core, McIntyre expects to have more weapons at his disposal this year.

At the end of the day you win a game with 11 players,McIntyre said. But it also allows us to play at a high tempo so that if required, we can provide a little bit of a rest.



In the Oranges first preseason game against Hartwick on Aug. 16, Syracuse scored three goals in the last 20 minutes in an eventual 4-1 win. 

Rhynhart scored the second and game-winning goal with 19:41 remaining. Last year, he appeared in 16 games but didnt get a start in a single one.

And though Rhynhart hasnt started any of the 29 games hes appeared in for SU, hell continue to provide blistering pace to lead the Oranges reserves.

It really hurts the team if I come in and take 5–10 minutes to warm up,Rhynhart said. Im ready on the bench, warming up for a good 5–10 minutes before I get in, and I just have the mindset that Im going to go in and make a difference.

In the Oranges second preseason game against Akron on Friday, it was substitutes Emil Ekblom and Nanco that combined for the first goal in an eventual 2-1 win.

Nanco was recovering from an injury and its likely hell find himself in the first 11 after starting 17-of-18 games last year, but he noted how Syracuses offensive depth can support starters tiring out. 

We didnt have as much depth as this year, so with guys coming off the bench it adds more of an attacking threat when guys get tired,Nanco said. At all times of the game, well have attacking power up front and guys to help us win games.

With the rigorous schedule providing minimal rest in between games throughout the upcoming season, its paramount that the Orange has fresh legs off the bench. 

McIntyre highlighted several other players that could have an effect early in the season, including freshman Julian Buescher, a trio of transfers in Liam Callahan, Korab Syla and Louis Cross, and redshirt junior Tyler Hilliard, who is coming off an injury in 2013.

The new guys like Julian and the transfers, theyve been really working hard in training, just helping us build as a team and making all the guys work harder,Nanco said. Its very good for them to help us build as a team like that.

Its competition that would provide Syracuse with even more experience and talent off the bench, giving the coaching staff the luxury of more options to choose from late in games.

This year, more than any of the previous years Ive been here, its really been a push for playing time for all the players,Rhynhart said. All the way through our whole team, we have guys that can come in and step in at any position.





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