Following their road win against Florida International University, the Seton Hall Men’s soccer team entered the United Soccer Coaches Poll at No. 25 in the rankings released earlier this week.
This marks the fourth time the team has been nationally ranked at least once in the last five seasons, something few other programs in the Big East have achieved. The Pirates looked to live up to the expectations of this achievement by securing a win 2-1 against the University of Albany (1-1-0) in their first home game of the season on Thursday.
Seton Hall dominated the first half in possession, chances, and shots on goal. After constant pressure on the Great Danes’ defense, the Pirates would finally score in the 31st minute as senior defender Sam Bjork found graduate defender Jared Smith for the header. Originally called offside, the goal would count after being reviewed by the head referee.
Despite Seton Halls controlling the game, Albany responded late in the first half with their own goal. With a throw-in deep in Seton Hall’s half of the field, Albany’s Christos Efstathiou would connect with fellow sophomore Ivar Orri Gissurarson to find the back of the net in the 41st minute. This was the Great Danes’ only shot on goal in the first half, with them being outshot 12-to-1 by The Hall.
With a national ranking on the line, Seton Hall looked to avoid the early-season upset in the second half. As such, the Pirate's dominance of possession and chance creation would continue; and yet, despite having multiple quality chances on goal, the Pirates could not seem to score. As the second half continued, the teams traded opportunities at goal, with Albany relying on counterattacks for their offense while Seton Hall maintained possession and tried to capitalize on set-pieces and crosses from outside the box. With time running out, it seemed neither team could score and the game would go into overtime.
However, the Pirates would break through in the second half in dramatic fashion. In the 89th minute, Seton Hall was awarded a penalty kick to the excitement of the Pirate fans in attendance. With virtually the last kick of the game, sophomore midfielder Jon Vignir Petursson would step up to convert the penalty and secure the win for The Hall with his first career goal.
Following this dramatic 2-1 victory, Seton Hall (2-0-0) looks to continue their strong start to the season as they stay in South Orange to take on Manhattan University (0-0-2) at Owen T. Carroll Field on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.
Zachary Mawby is the assistant editor for the Setonian’s sports section. He can be reached at zachary.mawby@student.shu.edu.
