Men's Soccer Ties Providence, 1-1

Christos Zisimatos

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Seton Hall men's soccer team (7-2-2; 3-2-2) played to a 1-1 tie with Providence College (4-1-6, 2-1-4) in BIG EAST action on Saturday at Glay Field. Senior Christos Zisimatos’ (Manhasset, N.Y.) first career goal drew the Pirates even in the second half, and neither team could put home a goal in two periods of overtime.

Seton Hall entered the game having scored 11 goals in its last two games. However, it was the Friar offense that generated more scoring opportunities in the first half, out shooting the Pirates, 8-4. PC got its first scoring chance in the 39th minute when Eoin Lynch got the ball in front of the SHU net and found himself with an uncontested shot after the Pirates’ junior defender Matt Gilbert slipped, but Lynch put his shot over the net. The Friars continued to pressure and in the 43rd minute, Ian Wexler headed a cross into the net, but the goal was called off because of a PC foul. Providence’s efforts eventually paid off with 58 seconds remaining in the first half when Matt Otte scored off assists from sophomore Ryan Maduro and Lynch to give PC a 1-0 lead.

Despite playing into a strong head wind, Seton Hall picked up its play in the second half. The Pirates forced a 1-1 tie in the 76th minute on a goal by Zisimatos. Seton Hall's Sacha Kljestan took a free kick and passed into Zisimatos, who trapped the ball in traffic and put a shot past Friar goalkeeper Chris Konopka. SHU continued to pressure PC’s defense and nearly got a second goal when Kljestan sent a long pass ahead for sophomore Jon Lewandowski who got free for a breakaway, but he blasted his shot off the side netting.

The teams played two scoreless overtimes, but each had opportunities to score. The Friars’ Tim Ritter picked up a loose ball in the 98th minute and found himself open from about 18 yards away, but sent his shot wide. SHU freshman Eliseo Giusfredi sent a scare into the PC defense in the second overtime when he got into the box and appeared to be dragged down, but no foul was called and the game eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.

Seton Hall goalkeeper Boris Pardo (Hillside, N.J.) recorded three saves. Konopka finished the game with six stops.

The Pirates will return to action on Tuesday, October 11 when the host Pennsylvania on Owen T. Carroll field. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
1 2 OT 2OT F
Seton Hall (7-2-2, 3-2-2) 0 1 0 0 -- 1
Providence (4-1-6, 2-1-4) 1 0 0 0 -- 0

44:02 PC Matt Otte (1) (Lynch, Maduro)
75:31 SHU Christos Zisimatos (1) (Kljestan)

STAT SUMMARY
Shots: SHU 14; PC 15
Corner Kicks: SHU 8; PC 7
Offsides: SHU 2; PC 4
Saves: SHU 3 (Pardo 3); PC 6 (Konopka 6)