Credit: SHUPirates.com
Recap: No. 25 Pirates Secure Home Opener with Late Penalty Kick
Published: Thursday, August 29, 2024
by Jack Pine
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – In a nail-biting finish to their home opener on August 29, the No. 25 Seton Hall Pirates (2-0-0) defeated UAlbany (1-2-0) with a dramatic 2-1 win, thanks to a crucial penalty kick in the dying minutes of the match. The victory marks a triumphant return to the rankings for the Pirates, who came into Thursday’s match ranked number 25 in the nation. This was the first time the Pirates had been ranked in 51 weeks. This was also the first time the Pirates have ever played UAlbany against, who have competed in Div. I since 2001 in the America East Conference.
Seton Hall's goalkeeper, Soren Jensen, and UAlbany's Daniel Shannon both had standout
performances early in the game. The first half was characterized by a cautious and
physical battle, with both teams struggling to capitalize on their opportunities.
Seton Hall's Jared Smith had an early shot saved by Shannon, and a subsequent corner
kick saw Smith’s follow-up attempt go wide.
In the 30th minute, Seton Hall broke the deadlock when Smith scored off an assist
from Sam Bjork, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The celebration was short-lived, however,
as UAlbany’s Ivar Orri Gissurarson equalized with a goal in the 40th minute, assisted
by Christos Efstathiou. Despite continued pressure from both sides, including a near
miss by SHU’s Vignir Petursson hitting the right woodwork, the teams went into the
break tied 1-1.
The second half saw a shift in dynamics, with UAlbany’s goalkeeper Daniel Shannon
replaced by Parker Kump due to an injury sustained in a collision. Seton Hall's defense,
led by Jensen, remained solid while the Pirates' offense struggled to find the net.
The physical play from UAlbany led to several fouls, and a yellow card for Seton Hall’s
Virgil Dall'Agnol added to the tension.
UAlbany's efforts to reclaim the lead were thwarted by Jensen’s key saves and Seton
Hall’s defensive resilience. The match saw numerous corner kicks and shots from both
teams, but neither side could convert their chances into goals. Frustration boiled
over with shouts from the stands, including one fan saying “Ref, this isn’t UFC!”
reflecting the growing frustration with the officiating.
As the clock ticked towards the final minute, Seton Hall was awarded a penalty kick
after a contentious play in the box. Petursson stepped up and delivered a coolly taken
penalty to score his first goal as a Pirate, giving Seton Hall a 2-1 lead. UAlbany’s
Max Kwitchoff, who had been involved in several fouls throughout the match, received
a red card shortly after the goal, sealing the game for Seton Hall.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline intact, and Seton Hall celebrated a hard-fought
victory in their home opener. This win not only showcased the Pirates' defensive prowess
but also highlighted their resilience in the face of a challenging opponent and a
physical game.
The Pirates (2-0-0) will be back in action on Sunday, Sep. 1, as they take on the
Manhattan College Jaspers (0-2-0) here in South Orange. Kick off is scheduled for
1 p.m., as the Pirates look to remain undefeated on the season. Coverage of Sunday’s
match will be available on WSOU.net.
Jack Pine can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu.
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