Seton Hall men’s soccer (3-2-2) started conference play strong, defeating the UConn Huskies (3-4-2), 2-1, in Storrs, Connecticut. It was a competitive match from start to finish, but the Pirates held off a late push from the Huskies to secure the victory.
UConn controlled possession early, with the first 12 minutes played in SHU’s half. The Huskies applied pressure by pressing defensively and recorded the first shot of the game, which was deflected away by a Pirate defender.
The first chance for the Pirates came in the 14th minute, when junior Joaquin Brizuela stole the ball from a Husky free kick near the box. After a couple of deflections, the ball flew into the air, and junior Sivert Ryssdalsnes made one of the most athletic plays of the game. The Quinnipiac transfer jumped for a flying bicycle kick that sailed the head of UConn’s goalkeeper Kyle Durham and into the net, giving SHU a 1-0 lead. It was Ryssdalsnes’ first goal of the season.
The Pirates wasted no time building momentum, winning the ball back off kickoff and immediately starting an attack. A cross found senior Nico Rubio with no defenders around him, and he shot a screamer off the left goalpost. The ball deflected to sophomore Giacomo Mana, whose shot was deflected right back to Rubio. This time, Rubio took advantage, shooting just under Durham’s dive to double the Pirates’ lead less than two minutes after the opening goal. It was Rubio’s first goal in his five-season career as a Pirate.
SHU generated more chances throughout the first half, including a shot by junior Mikkel Lejbowicz that hit the crossbar and a giveaway from Durham that was recovered by the Huskies. The Pirates controlled possession and took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
The Pirates looked to extend their lead in the second half, recording four shots on target during the first 15 minutes. Shortly after the hour mark, UConn was awarded a penalty kick following a foul in the box by junior Til Kauschke. Sophomore Preston Alessio slipped his shot just past the arms of Pirate goalkeeper Devin Armstrong to cut the deficit to 2-1 with just under 30 minutes remaining.
After the penalty, momentum shifted back to UConn, and the Pirates struggled offensively. SHU did not attempt another shot for the remainder of the game. The Huskies created multiple opportunities to equalize. Junior Aidan Sheppela found himself alone in the box after a cross made its way through multiple Pirate defenders, but his shot went just wide of the goalpost.
Then, in the 89th minute, a corner kick was deflected over Armstrong and into the net. The arena lights flashed and everyone celebrated, but after a review, the referee determined there had been goaltender interference and waved off the goal.
The Pirates closed the game with a 2-1 victory and their first BIG EAST win.
SHU travels to face Princeton on Tuesday, looking to build momentum before their next BIG EAST matchup at home against DePaul on Sept. 26.
Jacob Marcial is a writer for The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at @jacob.marcial@student.shu.edu.
