Senior Day Showdown at SU Soccer Stadium
Syracuse University will welcome Harvard to its home field on August 30 for a much‑anticipated women’s soccer clash, kicking off at 1:00 p.m. The game is part of the Orange’s Senior Day celebrations, a bittersweet occasion as the team looks to snap a recent slump.
The Orange enter the matchup with a 3‑1‑1 record, but a 2‑1 defeat to Niagara on August 27 snapped a four‑game unbeaten stretch and a three‑match winning streak. That loss dropped Syracuse to 3‑2 overall and left the squad searching for consistency before the season’s final stretch.
Harvard, sitting at 1‑2‑0, brings a 3‑1 edge in the all‑time series against the Orange. The Crimson’s most recent victory over Syracuse came on September 3, 2023, when they edged a 5‑2 result. Since then, the two programs have split their recent meetings, with each side showing flashes of offensive firepower.
Key contributors for Syracuse include senior forward Vickie Jones, who leads the team with three goals, and Maya Naimoli, who has anchored the midfield with two goals and two assists in five appearances. Goalkeeper Maya Naimoli has also posted a 0.25 goals‑against average and a .929 save percentage across four starts. Defender Abby Incorvaia adds two goals and two assists, while rookie Brooke Huleatt, along with seniors Jasmine Leshnick and Ólöf Kristinsdóttir, each have two goals for Harvard.
Harvard’s backline features a split‑duty goalkeeping tandem of sophomore Nicole Bidun and freshman Olivia Busby. Bidun holds a 1.33 GAA and a .667 save percentage, while Busby’s numbers are still being evaluated. Both keepers will be tested by a Syracuse attack that has shown the ability to strike quickly, highlighted by senior Moo Galbus’s first collegiate goal earlier in the season.
The festivities will begin before kickoff with a senior‑day tribute to seven student‑athletes and two managers. At halftime, fans can enjoy a student penalty shootout with Otto serving as goalkeeper, while a Lucky Restaurant promotion adds a tasty incentive for participants.
The match will be streamed live on the ACC Network, with real‑time statistics available through the @CuseWSoc Twitter account. Admission is free, making it an accessible event for students and local supporters alike.