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HAMILTON, N.Y. — Tomas Hut’s last collegiate soccer appearance came nearly 21 months ago, starting for Army on Nov. 8, 2022, in a 3-1 loss to American University. Hut transferred to Syracuse that offseason after 14 starts in two seasons, but he didn’t see the field in his first season with the Orange.

That changed Thursday in SU’s season opener against Colgate. Hut won the starting job over the summer, beating out the likes of Jahiem Wickham and Jason Smith, who earned 13 and eight starts, respectively, last season.

Colgate tested Hut, but he proved his worth in net. The junior made several key saves to blank the Raiders and keep the score at 0-0. Hut held steady in net as Chimere Omeze scored an 87th-minute goal to put the Orange in front.

“Players can make coaches look good if they do that in games,” Syracuse head coach McIntyre said of Hut’s performance postgame.

Boosted by Hut’s shutout in net, No. 25 Syracuse (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated Colgate (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Patriot League) 1-0 in its season opener. The Raiders had just four shots and Hut saved all of them. He wasn’t called into action often. But when Syracuse needed him most, he excelled.

Syracuse’s goalie position was up for grabs before last season. Russell Shealy, the 2022 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player, graduated following the season. Shealy was the backbone of SU’s first-ever National Championship-winning squad, setting a single-season program record with 2,220 minutes in net.

In an attempt to replace Shealy, SU brought in Smith from Utah Valley. Smith started eight of the first nine games in 2023. After letting up five goals in a loss to Duke on Sept. 29, Wickham took over.

For the remainder of the season, the starting spot was his. Wickham brought stability to the position with five shutouts in 13 games, putting himself in a position to earn the starting job in 2024.

Yet, McIntyre went with Hut, saying the senior impressed him over the summer to earn the spot.

“Whenever the opportunity came, I knew it would arise eventually, after all the hard work,” Hut said. “(McIntyre) thankfully gave me the chance today, and I just stuck with it.”

For most of the first half, Hut went untested. He collected a couple of crosses with ease while Syracuse dominated possession. Colgate created minimal chances until a late flurry. Mason Pahule found Jacob Blackwin in a pocket of space at the top of the 18-yard box in the 41st minute. Blackwin took a touch to set himself, unleashing a low right footed shot. The ball bounced right in front of Hut, who thwarted the chance.

Two minutes later, he was called into action again. Elton Chifamba misfired a pass in the midfield as Cason Stafford launched a hopeful over-the-top through ball. Colgate striker Colin Hughes was caught in between SU defenders Sam Layton and Andre Cutler-DeJesus.

Layton attempted to head the ball back to Hut, but didn’t get enough power. Hughes intercepted and was one-on-one with Hut, but the goalie stood tall. Hut stonewalled Hughes, keeping Syracuse and Colgate deadlocked heading into halftime.

“I feel like it just comes with being a goalkeeper … day in and day out, we’re kind of just throwing our bodies on the line,” Hut said.

Hut’s biggest moment came in the 62nd minute. Colgate continued its momentum from the end of the first half, pressuring Syracuse high up the field. The Raiders earned a free kick on the wing following a foul from Braedon Smith.

Blake Pipkin lofted an inswinging ball into the box. Blackwin was first to it at the back post inside the six-yard box. His contact wasn’t the cleanest, though it looked to be a surefire goal until Hut stuck his left foot out. With cat-like reflexes, the goalie kicked the ball over the net.

Tomas Hut sticks out his foot to make a diving save in the second half against Colgate. Joe Zhao | Video Editor

McIntyre was wary of Colgate’s set pieces heading into the game. He knew Colgate head coach Erik Ronning liked to send three tall defenders into the box. Hut’s prior experience against the Raiders also paid dividends. With Army, he faced them in the Patriot League and was well aware of their prowess on restarts.

“I saw the ball come up, realized I couldn’t get to it, dropped my line and just made the save,” Hut said. “Luckily, I made it in time for the reaction to get over the bar.”

After Hut’s heroics, Syracuse put its foot on the gas. The breakthrough came in the contest’s dying minutes as Omeze hit the post on a header before scoring on the rebound for the game-winning goal.

Omeze’s late goal may have overshadowed Hut’s heroics. But for now, Hut has cemented his place in Syracuse’s starting lineup. McIntyre still remains confident in the rest of his goalie room. He said he loves to watch them compete under the eye of first-year goalkeeper coach Santiago Restrepo.

Through just one game, Hut has made the spot his to lose.

“He’s earned this spot, and he backed it up today,” McIntyre said.

Published on August 22, 2024 at 11:42 pm

Contact Zak: zakwolf784254@gmail.com | @ZakWolf22