Seton Hall
Pirates pull off 1-0 victory over Creighton
Date: October 4, 2019By: John Makuch
The Seton Hall Pirates defeated the Creighton Bluejays 1-0 on Friday, at the newly renovated Owen T. Carroll Field.
This win came as an upset, as Creighton entered the game 6-2-1 and defeated the 21st ranked Akron Zips and tied with number six UNC earlier in the season. Seton Hall came in at 3-4, and the Pirates put pressure on Creighton early, as it took almost 10 minutes for Creighton to get the ball onto the Seton Hall side of the field. This was a result of Creighton playing a more patient game, but also Seton Hall’s attack putting pressure on the Bluejay defense.
This pressure produced a header from Stephen Elias that was very close to scoring, but this was just a sign of things to come. Seton Hall got plenty of good ball movement early in the first half, which resulted in a controversial play in which Seton Hall got a shot in near the net, but it seemed that a Creighton player committed a trip, but nothing was called. Creighton’s strategy appeared to be playing patient and looking for holes in the defense, with the Pirates still playing patient, but much more aggressive than Creighton.
Carlton McKenzie, who entered the game in the middle of the half, struck first with a beautiful header off a cross from James Boote with 12:22 to go in the first half that gave Seton Hall a 1-0 lead. Seton Hall was able to retain the lead heading into the second half as a beautiful one handed save from Andreas Nota kept the score 1-0.
Creighton came into the game being known as a second half team, and this showed early as the Bluejays took control of the beginning of the second half. A potential Creighton goal was negated after the free kick was taken early, and the second cross was unsuccessful.
CJ Tibbling, who subbed in early in the second half, got a shot on goal early in the half, but this shot was saved as both teams were creating chances. Creighton had a similar controversial situation as the Pirates off a close shot that was saved by Nota. The Bluejays protested the call as Seton Hall did in the first half, but another no call by the officials.
The Pirates used a counter-attack strategy similar with how Creighton played in the first half, and Creighton played the opposite way with more of an aggressive style trying to get the equalizer as they were still down one to nothing. Nota, the goalkeeper played a great game. He did not have to face many difficult shots, but the ones he did were saved with ease.
This was a great compliment to the Seton Hall defense who had a great performance during the game. Head coach Andreas Lindberg mentioned this saying the defense was “gritty” in their defending. The Pirates were able to close the game out and secure the one goal victory as coach Lindberg was “super pleased” with the team’s performance.
Seton Hall improves their record to 4-4 getting to .500 on the season, and they look to continue to improve that record against Fordham University on Tuesday, back at Owen T. Carroll Field at 6 p.m.
John Makuch can be reached at john.makuch@student.shu.edu.
