Credit: GR Productions
Seton Hall’s Defense Dismantled Near the End in Loss to UConn
Published: Saturday, October 25, 2025
by Thomas Kvalo
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (3-9-5) were outclassed in the final home game of this season as the UConn Huskies (11-3-3) found a winner in the final moments of the game.
In the opening 15 minutes, there were few chances for either side, but the Huskies
kept the majority of possession. Seton Hall stood strong, only giving away minor chances
from outside the box.
UConn was close to snatching the lead in the 17th minute as Se-Hanna Mars whipped
in a cross that seemed destined for Naia Ocio, but it flew just past her. The attack
was not over, as UConn retained possession, but a header ended up over the net.
A chance finally came for the Pirates after 35 minutes when they had a free kick halfway
into the opposition’s half. The ball found the feet of Reece Paget, who turned and
fired a shot that narrowly missed to the right of the goal.
The domination continued, as Connecticut piled on more chances, with a total of nine
shots in the first half. Pirates goalkeeper Kate Kleinsmith was called into action
on three of them to keep the scoreless tie alive.
Coach Rodriguez must have fired up her UConn side during the break, as they came out
firing in the second half. The biggest of these chances came in the 52nd minute from
a free kick that was crossed in from around the corner flag. A looming header hit
the post, and the rebound was cleared off the line.
It took until the end of the game, but UConn found the goal they needed after knocking
on the door all game. Shot number 13 found the net, and it was Ocio who secured the
winner. It was a cross from Taylor Alayna in the 82nd minute that did it, ending hope
for the Pirates.
Seton Hall came into this game as heavy underdogs but put up a worthy defensive performance.
They gave the home crowd hope, but in the end, they could not hold on. The attack
did not have a lot of success, as the team struggled to progress the ball up the field.
In the end, they had their lone chance in the first half.
The Pirates still have a game to be played as they round out the season in Milwaukee
against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday, November 1 at 8:00 P.M.
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