Credit: Kyle Ferreira
Pirates Drop to Blue Demons 3-1 in Chicago
Published: Friday, October 18, 2024
by Victor Lisboa
CHICAGO, Ill. - Penalty kicks and aggression were the catalyst to this contest, but the Seton Hall Pirates (4-8-3) could not pull out a win against the DePaul Blue Demons (4-5-5). After coming off a recent loss in Cincinnati against the Xavier Musketeers, Seton Hall entered a physical in Chicago on Thursday evening utilizing an offensive-focused game plan right from the beginning. However, DePaul would be the one to start red hot.
The first half was intense for both teams, but more so for DePaul, as they were able to register ten shots off Seton Hall’s three. The Blue Demons ended up scoring all three of their goals in the first half. A little after a corner kick in the fourteenth minute, Pirate Nina Davis committed a foul, and DePaul’s Lea Eisenring nailed her first penalty kick into the bottom left.
About three minutes later, Seton Hall’s Rachel Gerrie gave up another foul in the box, giving Eisenberg another chance. Like déjà vu, she again kicked it into the bottom left, putting DePaul up 2-0 after just seventeen minutes.
Both the Pirates and the Blue Demons combined for 31 total fouls in the contest. DePaul did foul a couple of times within the first half, awarding Pirates' Natalie Tavana and Davis free kicks, but they ultimately weren’t able to build momentum. Additionally, the Pirates registered three shots in the first half, but could not convert on any.
Freya Jupp put DePaul up three with her goal in the 33rd minute, which would end up being the Blue Demons' last goal of the evening. The Pirates stopped some of the bleeding with four other saves in the half; goalkeeper Anna Prawer played all 90 minutes and ended the game with five saves.
The second half appeared quieter for DePaul; they only were able to get off two shots in the period, compared to six for The Hall. However, the Pirates’ shots were either a bit off target or saved; both Oliva Beauvois’s shot in the 57th minute and Tavana’s attempt afterward was saved by Blue Demons goalkeeper Elena Milam, who ended her night with four saves.
Seton Hall’s fast-paced second half saw some momentum slightly build, courtesy of Phoebe Hampson with about 13 minutes of game left. She placed the ball into the back of the net courtesy of a beautifully accurate set piece from Lily Camacho.
But despite the late goal, a few fouls from both teams and DePaul's strong defense down the stretch kept the Pirates scoreless for the rest of the half. Capitalizing on their successful first half, the Blue Demons secured a 3-1 win.
Seton Hall unfortunately came up short, suffering their second straight loss on the road to a few northern midwestern cities. The Pirates will look to find a spark for their season when they come back home to Owen T. Carroll field to play Big East rival, the Butler Bulldogs, this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Victor Lisboa can be reached at victor.lisboa@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,