Women's Soccer Falls to Xavier in Final Away Game of 2017

Date: October 19, 2017

By: Bob Towey

The Seton Hall women's soccer team (0-10-5) fell to the Xavier Musketeers (8-5-4), 2-1, at the Xavier Sports Complex in Cincinnati, Ohio on Thursday night.

Seton Hall came out with a strong offensive effort in the first half of Thursday's contest, but the Pirates were unable to get a point on the board. Laura Dramis started in goal for Seton Hall, but head coach Rick Stainton decided to replace her with Anna MacLean in the 21st minute. Despite outshooting the Musketeers six to one and registering three shots on goal, Xavier capitalized on their only shot of the half to lead the Hall heading into halftime.

On that goal, Xavier drew a penalty and received a free kick. After firing the ball into the box, Xavier's Abby O'Keefe headed it across the box to the foot of Sydney Schembri, who rifled her shot past MacLean for a 1-0 lead. Although Seton Hall kept the pressure on the Musketeers, consistently firing shots in Xavier's defensive third, the Musketeers preserved their lead entering halftime.

(Photo: SHU Athletics)

The second half saw the intensity pick up for both teams, with Seton Hall pulling even with the Musketeers in the 67th minute. Lauren Hall rushed up field with the ball and blasted it from outside the box, past Musketeer goalie Toni Bizzarro, and into the bottom left corner to tie the match 1-1.

Seton Hall was unable to maintain the tie for long as Xavier drew the shots total even with Seton Hall at 11 apiece, and just ten minutes later Xavier scored the game winning goal. O'Keefe received a throw-in and promptly crossed through the box to the foot of Tori Doss, who chipped the ball past MacLean for a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory.

With this loss, the Pirates' Big East Conference record falls to 0-4-3. They return home to Owen T. Carroll Field on Sunday, Oct. 22 to take on the Providence Friars (9-6-1).

Bob Towey can be reached at Robert.Towey@student.shu.edu.

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