Credit: Seton Hall Women's Soccer
Tavana and the Pirates Get it Done in Lawrenceville, Win 1-0
Published: Monday, August 26, 2024
by Darren Worrell
LAWRENCEVILLE - The Seton Hall Women's soccer team (1-1-1) faced off against Rider University (1- 1-0) in a thrilling match Friday evening. The game kicked off at 5 PM at Rider’s home field Ben Cohen Stadium, drawing an enthusiastic crowd eager to witness this non-conference clash. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove; The Pirates looking to get back into the win column after falling short to Lehigh 2-1 in their previous game, and Rider looking to keep their momentum after winning their previous matchup against Delaware State 5-0. Naturally, the stage was set for an intense and competitive 90 minutes of soccer.
It was all back-and-forth in the first 45 minutes, as both teams played to a scoreless draw until the whistle blew. Nonetheless, The Hall controlled possession most of the half, keeping their foot on the pedal with a lot of good looks at goal, but to no success. They outshot the Broncs by a staggering nine shots to five. It was a great defensive effort by both teams, but it was Rider’s goalie Ellie Sciancalepore who left her mark. The Graduate goalie left her all out there on the field; in this first half alone she picked up three of her five saves, forcing the Pirates to keep looking for answers.
The second half was still a neck-and-neck game. Quickly, Rider’s first shot on goal finally came, but it was saved by freshman goalkeeper Avery Strohecker, playing in her fourth game for the Pirates. Strohecker had two saves within her second half 45 minutes of play. At the 67-minute mark, Seton Hall’s prayers were finally answered, and it was the reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Natalie Tavana who was credited for the goal. She now has 19 goals in her collegiate career, and 47 total points. At the end of the 90 minutes, it was the Seton Hall Pirates who ended up on the winning side, with the 1-0 win bringing their record to 2-1-1 on the season. Rider now falls to 1-1-1 on the season.
Seton Hall looks to continue their winning streak as they head to Princeton, New Jersey to take on the undefeated Princeton Tigers at Myslik Field on August 29th.
Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.eduPosted in: sports,