Seton Hall University
NJIT
Geiler, Spindler Lead Men's Soccer to Shutout of NJIT
10/16/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 16, 2013
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Led by a pair of international freshmen the Seton Hall University men's soccer team turned in its most complete game of the season in picking up a 3-0 victory over the NJIT Highlanders on Wednesday night at Owen T. Carroll Field.
Freshman midfielder Samuel Geiler (Offenburg, Germany) led the Hall with a five point night, assisting on what proved to be the game-winning score in the first half, before tacking on a pair of goals of his own in the second. His second goal, a perfectly placed chip shot over NJIT keeper Alexander Czempik in the 85th minute, ranks as one of the finest goals the Pirates have scored all season.
Freshman goalkeeper Julian Spindler (Weiersbach, Germany) was masterful in net as he has been all season, turning away four shots to post his second-career clean sheet. His best save of the evening came with fewer than 10 minutes remaining when he came out to smother a point-blank shot from Tommy Osipitan to preserve the shutout. Geiler now leads Seton Hall in scoring with six goals, and total points with 16; he ranks second with four assists trailing only Victor Manosalvas (Clifton, N.J.).
The victory was Seton Hall's first over NJIT since 1972, but the two programs have faced one another just twice since 1983, the only other meeting resulted in a 1-0 win by the Highlanders last season in Newark.
Outside midfielder Kai Greene (South Orange, N.J.) opened the game by ripping three shots over the first 13 minutes, two of which were on net, to help set the tone in a first half that featured a number of aggressive attacks from a very active Seton Hall offensive unit.
In the 20th minute Manosalvas nearly connected with sophomore center back Julian Kennedy (Nindorf, Germany) on a set piece, but Kennedy's header found the cross bar and was cleared away.
Five minutes later the Pirates' offensive pressure finally paid off in the form of senior George Velasquez' (Union City, N.J.) second goal of the season. On that play Geiler was corralled by the NJIT defense on the left side of the field near the end line, but the talented freshman turned and lined a cross toward Velasquez at the near post. He left his feet and lunged toward the ball to head it on target and give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. It was the fourth assist for Geiler over the past five games.
The first insurance goal was in the 70th minute. Seton Hall was not as dominant in the second period, after attempting 14 shots in the opening half the Hall attempted just two over the final 45 minutes, but both resulted in scores.
Freshman Shawn Morrison (York, Pa.) assisted on the play, looking initially for senior John Gurel (Istanbul, Turkey) at the far post with a long cross from the left side, but Gurel could only redirect the pass and keep it in play, which is where Geiler came up with the rebound and without hesitating scored on the near side.
Geiler's second goal came 15 minutes later and with it he put his full range of offensive talents on display. After intercepting a pass near midfield Geiler made a clean break into NJIT territory but with three Highlander defenders in full pursuit. The breakaway forced the play to funnel to the left side but without hitting the brakes Geiler saw Czempik come out from net and easily chipped a ball over the NJIT keeper for an impressive score.
Seton Hall's 20 goals this year eclipse the 19-goal output from all of last season and the Pirates have racked up 24 assists on those scores after accumulating just 13 in 2012.
Seton Hall concludes a four-match home stand and return to BIG EAST play when it hosts the DePaul Blue Demons on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m.
