Recap: Seton Hall ends year with a loss vs. Villanova, 2-1

Date: April 9, 2021

By: Kahlei Smith

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Seton Hall Athletics

Despite a competitive match, Seton Hall (2-9-0, 1-9-0) closed out their season on Senior Night against Villanova (3-10-2, 2-6-2) with a 2-1 double-overtime loss. The Pirates were unable to settle the score with Villanova this season with an initial double-overtime lost against the Wildcats occurring in mid-March.

Seniors Atley Fortney, Emily Caza, Alyssa Reszkowski, Dani Camilleri, Izzy Engel, and Cassy Harrigan were all honored in a pre-game ceremony. Both teams have struggled all season, with Seton Hall going on a six-game losing stretch before beating St. Johns and Villanova coming into the game on a four-game losing streak while winless on the road.

The Pirates and Wildcats came out aggressive in the first half seeking to capitalize early by attempting several shots on goal. Villanova’s senior forward Bri Austin committed the first shot of the match at the third minute but the ball was corralled by sophomore goalie Grace Gordon. Harrigan, who leads the team in goals scored, came out assertive with a shot at goal at the ninth minute that was unsuccessful. Harrigan succeeded the second time with a beautiful header goal assisted by Camilleri at the 13^th minute of the match.

Reszkowski tried to replicate Harrigan with a bullet header of her own at the 33^rd minute but the ball skidded past the right goal post. The tide turned when Villanova’s forward Sam Rosette scored a header assisted by sophomore forward Makayla Stadler with under 30 seconds left in the first half. Seton Hall went into the second half of regulation tied against Villanova 1-1 with both teams finishing the first half with two shots on goal.

HALF | Seton Hall 1, Villanova 1

Nova gets on the board with under 30 seconds in the half.

All about the next 45 minutes #HALLin ⚪
— Seton Hall Women's Soccer (@SHUWSOC) April 8, 2021

Both teams continued the intensity through the second half, trading opportunities to score and take a decisive lead. Villanova nearly stole the game late into the second half with a shot on goal by Stadler that ricocheted off the left goal post. The Wildcats led the way with eight shots on goal in the second half compared to the Pirates’ six shots on goal.

Both teams went scoreless in overtime inching for an opportunity to end the game. Seton Hall totaled two shots in overtime, one of which was on goal, and committed a foul. Villanova finished with two shots, with one shot on goal, and one foul committed. In double-overtime, Austin sealed the win for the Wildcats, scoring a header at the 100^th minute that slipped past Gordon’s hands and crossed the goal line. Austin finished with one goal and four shots while Stadler secured her second assist in the game.

Kahlei Smith can be reached at kahlei.smith@student.shu.edu.

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