The men's soccer team lost its seventh consecutive game, this time to Villanova, 3-1, in the opening round of the Big East Championship on Thursday.
The Pirates fell behind early, after goalkeeper Michael Kuzan deflected a shot into the net from midfielder Danny Gonzalez in the 10th minute.
The Wildcats added another goal in the 51st minute, this time from a low free kick just outside the box off the foot of midfielder Kyle Soroka.
Down 2-0, the Pirates' junior captain Max Garcia brought the team back into the game with a goal in the 72nd minute on an assist from sophomore midfielder Konrad Plewa.
Garcia took seven shots in the game, three of which were on net. The Pirates outshot Villanova 20-16 and also held a 7-0 advantage in cornerkicks.
Villanova substitute Hayden Harr scored the insurance goal in the 88th minute on a give-and-go with forward Dylan Renna. Harr and Renna combined for nine of the Wildcats' 16 shots.
Villanova will advance to play Connecticut on Saturday.
T.J. Brennan can be reached at Thomas.Brennan@student.shu.edu.
