Seton Hall men’s soccer recorded its fourth clean sheet with a 0-0 draw at Princeton on Tuesday. Now 3-2-3, the Pirates have drawn in three clean sheets this season.
Although SHU’s six shots on goal matched Princeton’s seven, they were outshot 22-to-7.
The match started in the Pirates’ favor as they controlled possession in the first half. They played with patience in the midfield and generated opportunities in transition, keeping the ball away from Princeton.
SHU seemed to be breaking through with three minutes left in the half as sophomore Loke Mattsson scored from a backpost pass, but the play was reviewed and ruled offside.
Princeton answered with 10 seconds remaining, as a free kick from outside the box was deflected and barely saved by Pirates goalkeeper Devin Armstrong. It was the Tigers’ first shot on goal.
Princeton flipped the momentum in the second half, recording a shot on goal three minutes in that Armstrong saved once again.
The Tigers dominated possession, silencing the Pirates until their first shot of the half in the 77th minute. A solo effort by junior Joaquin Brizuela found its way toward the net but was saved by Princeton goalkeeper Andrew Samuels.
Just as SHU gained momentum, Princeton answered with seven shots in the final 10 minutes. Armstrong saved all three shots, including a diving stop with 40 seconds remaining, to keep the game 0-0.
This game’s seven saves gave Armstrong his season best, improving his save percentage to 0.849%.
The Pirates will be back in South Orange on Sept. 26 for BIG EAST play against DePaul before traveling to Indianapolis to face Butler on Oct. 2.
Peter Stewart is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at peter.stewart@student.shu.edu.
