Seton Hall University
Delaware
Men's Soccer Erases Three-Goal Deficit to Top Delaware 5-4 in 2OT
9/10/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 10, 2013
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Freshman midfielder Samuel Geiler (Offenberg, Germany) netted the game-winning strike with three seconds to play and completed an improbable comeback as the Seton Hall University men's soccer team outlasted the University of Delaware, 5-4, in double overtime on Tuesday night at Owen T. Carroll Field.
The Pirates (2-0-2) trailed Delaware 3-0 at the half and outscored the Blue Hens, 4-1, in the second period to force overtime. It was Seton Hall's third-straight contest to reach extra time with the Pirates tying their last two contests, which is where Tuesday night's match appeared to be headed before Geiler's last second heroics.
Senior Max Garcia (Jersey City, N.J.) began the game-winning play in Seton Hall's backfield, passing to redshirt freshman Danny Bartok (Union, N.J.), who deftly directed a pass to Geiler in space. The speedy midfielder streaked down the left side of the field as the clock steadily ticked toward zero and as soon as he entered the Delaware box he unloaded a shot toward the far post, beating keeper Borja Barbero.
The goal was Geiler's team-leading fourth of the season and the first game winner of his career. Bartok's assist came as a part of a breakout night for him offensively, as he also scored twice for the Pirates earlier in the evening.
With Seton Hall facing a 3-0 deficit and recording just one shot on net in the opening period, it was Bartok kick starting the offense with a score fewer than five minutes into the second period. Junior Jason Wellington (West Palm Beach, Fla.) was credited with an assist on the play, as he sailed a long pass from midfield deep into the Delaware defensive zone for Bartok to chase down.
Once he settled and cut across the end line toward the Blue Hen net he banked a ball off a defender and past Barbero near post. It was Bartok's first-career goal, one that was especially sweet after he sat out the entire 2012 season due to injury, but it was just the beginning of the offensive fireworks for Seton Hall.
A mere 2:20 later senior forward George Velasquez (Union City, N.J.), who was seeing his first action of the season, made a play on a long ball from redshirt junior Victor Manosalvas (Clifton, N.J.) to deliver a second goal for the Pirates. Velasquez was in behind the defense and knocked down the pass with his chest, settling before turning to fire a shot that Barbero never had a chance at saving.
The Blue Hens (3-1-0) rebounded to retake a two-goal lead as Guillermo Delgado scored his second goal of the night and sixth on the young season off a free kick from 20-yards out that beat senior goalkeeper Kevin Bonder (Whippany, N.J.) to the near post in the 60th minute.
It was only 2:06 later that Bartok answered with his second score of the evening. The usual suspects were involved for Seton Hall with Velasquez making the play happen with a skillful move down the left side toward the end line. With no room to spare he centered a ball that found Manosalvas in the middle of the area, he pushed a pass out to Bartok who was wide open on the right side and he took a few dribbles toward net before ripping a shot.
Even with the impressive offensive play the Pirates still trailed with 15 minutes remaining as a result of spotting Delaware a three-goal lead at the intermission. Senior forward John Gurel (Istanbul, Turkey) rectified that with a game-tying score in the 76th minute, his first of the season.
It was another passing clinic put on by the Pirates, resulting in a one-on-one opportunity toward the net. Junior Bolu Akinyode (Lagos, Nigeria) made a long pass through the heart of the defense up to Garcia, who was well defended, so he made a one touch to Gurel in the middle and he made a sprint in on net, easily beating Barbero.
After being outshot 9-6 in the opening period Seton Hall controlled the final 70 minutes, finishing with a 13-7 edge in shot attempts the rest of the way and a 19-16 advantage overall. Bartok moved up to second on the team with five points this season and Garcia tied his career-high with a pair of assists.
Seton Hall will play five of its next six matches on the road and embarks on a two-game weekend road trip on Friday, Sept. 13, when it heads down to Fairfax, Va., to face George Mason University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
