Seton Hall University
Xavier
Pirates Play Xavier to Scoreless Draw
10/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall University women's soccer team was able to get a positive result for a second-straight game, playing Xavier University to a scoreless draw in BIG EAST action on Sunday afternoon at Owen T. Carroll Field.
After neither team was successfully able to generate a quality scoring chance in the first overtime, the second OT period nearly resulted in win for both squads, with Xavier (3-9-3, 0-4-1) applying the early pressure. In the 104th minute Tori Doss fired a shot over the frame, then a minute later broke in on goal down the right side, but lined her attempt wide to the right.
With time running out in the game, Seton Hall (3-7-4, 0-3-2)nearly grabbed the win. The clock dipped down to a minute to play as Sarah Fiorino (Glen Rock, N.J.) shot wide right, and the Pirates came right back down to force a corner kick attempt with 30 seconds to play.
Amanda Gulli (Toms River, N.J.) fielded the corner for The Hall, sending a cross on target to the center of Xavier's defensive area. The Musketeers could not clear, but the Pirates could not find an open look. Cathy Chukuka (Marlboro, N.J.) came the closest to ending the game, firing from four-yards out, but a defender blocked the attempt and eventually the ball crossed the end line, putting a stop to the threat.
Seton Hall held a slight edge in shots,11-10, sending three attempts on net. Illissa Blackshear (West Orange, N.J.) made a pair of saves to record her fourth shutout of the season. Her most critical stop of the match came early in the second half. In the 48th minute Catherine Allon attempted to beat her far post from 10-yards out, only Blackshear dove to her left to snag the shot out of the air and keep the Musketeers off the scoreboard.
In the first half, it was the cross bar that stole the show, as both squads appeared to have taken the lead, only to see strong attempts stymied by the goal frame.
For the Pirates that look came early, on a shot that was so close to going in there was some initial confusion about whether or not it was a score. After a nice run down the right side, Frankie Maier (Oradell, N.J.) passed to Gulli, who centered to Andrea Palermo (Caledon, Ontario) near the top of the 18. Palermo's attempt hit underneath the cross bar and bounced straight down where Katie Markesbery was about to grab it after one bounce.
A set piece from 20-yards away in the 33rd minute nearly resulted in a goal for Xavier. Maddie Tierney directed a free kick over the wall only to see it hit the front of the post, and D'Yonna Riley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) swooped in to clear it away before there was a second attempt.
Seton Hall's next two BIG EAST matches will come on the road. The Pirates head to Marquette on Thursday night, facing the Golden Eagles in Milwaukee, Wis., at 8 p.m. (ET). Next Sunday The Hall travels to Villlanova.
