Syracuse Defeated Le Moyne in Salt City Derby
The Orange secured a 2-0 victory over their local rival at SU Soccer Stadium on Thursday.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Soccer
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Syracuse triumphed over Le Moyne 2-0 in the annual Salt City Derby. Gabriel Oksanan and Bryson Rodriguez scored in the second half to seal the win.
Why it matters
The victory serves as a rebound for Syracuse, which fell 1-0 to Le Moyne in 2024. The result showcases the effectiveness of the Orange's tactical adjustments against Le Moyne's defensive 4-4-2 formation.
Syracuse claimed the win with a 2-0 final score after Gabriel Oksanan scored in the 47th minute and Bryson Rodriguez added a goal in the 63rd minute. Le Moyne keeper Wyatt Dupell successfully saved a penalty kick from Rodriguez in the first half.
The players
Gabriel Oksanan
He is a Syracuse player who scored an Olimpico goal directly from a corner kick during the match.
Bryson Rodriguez
He is a Syracuse player who scored the second goal of the game after having a penalty attempt saved.
Wyatt Dupell
He is the Le Moyne goalkeeper who successfully blocked a penalty kick in the first half.
Landon Darko
He is a Syracuse substitute who had a goal disallowed for a handball violation.
The details
Syracuse overcame a defensive 4-4-2 setup by Le Moyne, aided by substitutes Landon Darko, Badr Laghijibi, and Dakota Jonke. While a potential goal by Landon Darko was disallowed due to a handball, Oksanan eventually broke the deadlock with an Olimpico corner kick.
Timeline
2024: Le Moyne defeated Syracuse 1-0.
September 19, 2026: Syracuse defeated Le Moyne 2-0.
Friday: Syracuse plays Notre Dame in South Bend.
Season Trajectory
This win alters the regional power dynamic and provides momentum for Syracuse ahead of their upcoming road test. The result helps the Orange move past last season's loss as they prepare for a competitive schedule against ACC opponents.
Syracuse successfully mitigated Le Moyne's defensive strategy to secure the win after an earlier penalty miss. The Orange will now look to carry this offensive efficiency into their next matchup against Notre Dame.
The takeaway
Syracuse proved resilient by overcoming both an early penalty miss and a disallowed goal to control the second half. This victory demonstrates the importance of bench depth in breaking down teams that employ conservative defensive formations.
What happens next
Syracuse is scheduled to play Notre Dame in South Bend on Friday.
Further reading
For more coverage of the local team, visit Syracuse Soccer.
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