Men's Soccer Falls at Princeton in Overtime, 3-2

PRINCETON, N.J. - The Seton Hall men's soccer team built a lead at Princeton, but the Tigers rallied with a late goal and scored less than a minute into overtime for a 3-2 win at Lourie-Love Field on Tuesday night. The Pirates have not won in their last four matches and are now 7-6-1 on the year, while Princeton improved to 6-5-2 on the season.

The game was characterized by mistakes and missed opportunities by the Pirates and the Tigers were able to take advantage. Seton Hall had a couple early one-on-one chances that were thwarted by Princeton’s Joe Walter. The Tigers took advantage in the 17^th minute when Max Hare picked up a rebound in front and knocked home his first goal of the season. The play was set when Matt Kontos sent a long cross in front where Kyle McHugh’s header was knocked down before Hare picked up the loose ball.

The Pirates responded just before half when senior John Raus (Stamford, Conn.) collected a rebound in front off a shot from sophomore Eliseo Giusfredi (Paterson, N.J.) and knocked home his seventh goal of the year for a 1-1 tie in the 44^th minute. Raus struck again in the 70^th minute when he hammered home his second goal of the game, giving SHU a 2-1 lead off an assist from junior Jon Lewandowski (Midland Park, N.J.).

Seton Hall appeared to have the game, before Princeton leveled the score when Devin Muntz headed home a cross from Brian Brady off a corner kick at the 84:51 mark. The Tigers carried the momentum into overtime and topped the Pirates when Hare struck for his second goal of the game at the 90:56 mark. SHU’s Paul McHenry was attempting to dribble the ball clear when Hare stole the ball and dumped into an empty net for the 3-2 victory.

SHU controlled much of the game, outshooting Princeton, 16-14. The Pirates’ offense was frustrated by the efforts Walter, who made nine saves on the evening. McHenry made six saves in net for Seton Hall, which suffered its first loss to an Ivy League opponent since 1-0 loss at Penn in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. The Pirates had been 5-0-2 during that span.

The Pirates returns to action with a BIG EAST match at Marquette in Milwaukee, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 8:00 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

                                    1    2    OT  F

Seton Hall (7-6-1)           1    1    0  -- 2

Princeton (6-5-1)            1    1    1  -- 3

16:02             Prin         M. Hare (1) (K. McHugh; M. Kontos)

43:46             SHU        J. Raus (7) (E. Giusfredi)

69:18             SHU        J. Raus (8) (J. Lewandowski)

84:51             Prin         D. Muntz (2) (B. Brady)

90:56             Prin         M. Hare (2) (unassisted)

STAT SUMMARY

Shots:  SHU 16; Prin 14.           

Corner Kicks:  SHU 6; Prin 7.   