Photo by Syracuse University Athletics

By AARON CRANFORD

SBI No. 2 Syracuse have won eight consecutive matches, but they aren’t just simply scoring at will; they are dominating teams offensively and defensively.

The Orange have only allowed three goals against opposition this campaign, while they also have thoroughly outscored teams, 16-2, in their current win streak.

Louisville ended their four-game losing streak Tuesday, but they will play one of the best teams in the country, as they face the 12-1 Orange Friday. The Cardinals are 6-5-1, yet they have not had many issues scoring — evident by their 20 goals produced  — but they have allowed at least two goals per match in the previous four. They will need an all-around effort to upset this year’s Orange.

Saturday’s key matchup will pit No. 6 Penn State and No. 13 Michigan State. Both of the two Big 10 rivals boast superb records, as The Spartans are 8-2-2, while the Nittany Lions are 10-1-1.

Both teams also have solid defenses, as neither side have allowed more than 8 goals this year; however, the Spartans are still looking for a win against a top team, and the Nittany Lions were dismantled by Maryland Sunday.

In an intriguing Big East battle, No. 9 Creighton travels to Cincinnati to play Xavier Saturday. The Musketeers are 9-3-1, but their toughest opposition of the year begins Saturday against the Blue Jays. They will also play No 12. Marquette later next week.

The Musketeers are unbeaten in seven matches, winning six of those seven, yet they will have to figure out how to beat an 11-1-1 side, who have only allowed six goals in their 13 matches.

Here is a rundown of this weekend’s top college matches:

THIS WEEKEND’S COLLEGE SOCCER SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

6:00 p.m. — North Carolina State vs. No. 23 North Carolina

7:00 p.m. — No. 20 Virginia vs. Clemson

7:00 p.m. — Duke vs. No. 17 Notre Dame

7:00 p.m. — Rhode Island vs. No. 14 George Mason

7:00 p.m. — Akron vs. West Virginia

7:00 p.m. — UNLV vs. Air Force

7:30 p.m. — Louisville vs. No. 2 Syracuse

9:00 p.m. — No 18. Saint Louis vs. Duquesne

SATURDAY

12:00 p.m. — Liberty vs. No. 16 Coastal Carolina

1:00 p.m. — Seton Hall vs. No. 10 Georgetown

1:00 p.m. — No. 21 American vs. Army

2:00 p.m. — Boston University vs. Lafayette

4:30 p.m. — Winthrop vs. UNC Ashville

6:00 p.m. — Northeastern vs. UNC Wilmington

7:00 p.m. — Xavier vs. No. 9 Creighton

7:00 p.m. — Old Dominion vs. No. 7 Charlotte

7:00 p.m. — Kentucky vs. No. 11 New Mexico

7:00 p.m. — UAB vs. Marshall

7:00 p.m. — Davidson vs. St. Bonaventure

7:00 p.m. — Penn State vs. Michigan State

7:00 p.m. — No. 19 Dartmouth vs. Penn

7:05 p.m. — No. 12 Marquette vs. Villanova

8:00 p.m. — SMU vs. South Florida

10:00 p.m. — No. 3 UC Irvine vs. Cal State Fullerton

SUNDAY

1:00 p.m. — No. 14 George Mason vs. Fordham

2:00 p.m. — No. 1 Indiana vs. Maryland

3:00 p.m. — No. 18 Saint Louis vs. Massachusetts

4:00 p.m. — Grand Canyon vs. Air Force

5:30 p.m. — San Diego State vs. No. 4 Washington

6:00 p.m. — UNLV vs. UMKC