On Oct. 14 at Owen T. Carroll Field, the Seton Hall women’s soccer team came up just short against DePaul, losing 2–1 in a tightly contested Big East matchup.
The Pirates played one of their most energetic games of the season, taking an early lead before the visiting Blue Demons answered with two second-half goals to steal the win.
Both teams fought for control in the midfield early, with SHU’s defense holding strong in the first half. The Pirates goalkeeper Avery Strohecker made several key stops, including a save on a shot by DePaul’s Katelyn Jamie in the 27th minute and another near the half-hour mark to keep the score level.
Offensively, the Pirates created several promising scoring chances early in the game. Junior forward Adria Kitzinger led the attack with four total shots, two of which were on goal. In the 14th minute, she fired a low shot to the center that was stopped by DePaul keeper Maddie Iro, who was active all game. Freshman Leyla Sanders also tested the keeper with a long attempt from the top of the box that sailed high.
After a scoreless first half, SHU struck just 45 seconds into the second half. Senior midfielder Jordana Bello scored her first goal of the season after an assist from Grace Lawler, putting SHU ahead 1–0 and energizing the home crowd.
The goal gave the Pirates momentum, but DePaul did not back down. Less than eleven minutes later, in the 57th minute, the Blue Demons found the equalizer. Midfielder Danielle Fjeldsted finished a cross from Tessa Fagerson, beating Strohecker to the right post to make it 1–1.
From that point, both teams traded fouls and substitutions as the game went on. Midfielders Olivia Beauvois and Shea Boyle battled hard to control possession, while substitutes Sarah Mitchell, Reece Paget, and Abby Udowenko provided energy off the bench. DePaul continued to push forward, earning several corner kicks, but Seton Hall’s defense stayed organized.
In the 80th minute, however, DePaul took advantage of a late opportunity. Forward Sienna Gonzales scored what ended up being the game-winner, assisted by Grace Menser, after a quick passing sequence down the left side. The goal gave DePaul a 2–1 lead with just under ten minutes left to play.
The Pirates made one last push in the final moments, with Kitzinger forcing a save and Bello nearly connecting again off a cross from Lawler. Despite their late effort, SHU could not break through.
In total, the Pirates recorded six shots, three on goal, while DePaul had eleven shots and four on target. Strohecker finished with two saves in 90 minutes of play.
The loss dropped SHU to 3–6–5 overall and 0–5–1 in BIG EAST play, while DePaul improved to 5–7–1. The Pirates have shown growth throughout conference play despite recent results and will look to finish strong in their final stretch of games.
SHU will hit the road for two crucial away matches, visiting Butler University on Oct. 18 before traveling to Creighton University on Oct. 22. They will return home to face the University of Connecticut Huskies on Oct. 25
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
