MSOC Qualifies for BIG EAST Tourney
10/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Seton Hall finished the regular season with a 6-11 overall record and a 2-6 record in the BIG EAST Blue Division, earning the division's fifth seed. Villanova is the No. 4 seed out of the Red Division, finishing the regular season with an 11-5-2 overall and a 3-3-2 mark against conference foes.
The Pirates picked up wins over Providence College and the University of Pittsburgh during the regular season, and broke a tie with Providence for fifth place in the division via a 2-1 victory over the Friars back on Oct. 3, in South Orange.
Seton Hall, which will make 22nd BIG EAST Tournament appearance in program history, has faced Villanova during postseason play just once, picking up a 4-0 win over the Wildcats on Nov. 8, 1991, in BIG EAST Semifinals.
The Pirates lead the all-time series with Villanova 18-10-0, and last faced the Wildcats during the 2011 season. This year marked the first time since 2002 that Seton Hall did not face Villanova during the regular season.
Seton Hall is 14-13-6 in BIG EAST Tournament play, capturing four conference championships (1986, 1987, 1988, 1991). The Pirates are 6-10-5 all-time in their opening match of the BIG EAST Tournament and SHU will be looking for its first opening round win since a 2-1 victory at Pittsburgh in 2000.
SHU has tied three of its last four first-round games, advancing once on penalty kicks.
The winner of Wednesday afternoon's first round match will advance to face the No. 1 seed from the Blue Division, the University of Connecticut, in the BIG EAST quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 3, in Storrs, Conn., at 7 p.m.
