Seton Hall University
Marquette
Pirates Fall at Marquette
10/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MILWAUKEE, WISC. - Set piece execution proved to be the difference between the Seton Hall women's soccer team and Marquette on Thursday as the Golden Eagles tallied three goals off corner kicks en route to a 3-0 victory in BIG EAST action from Valley Fields.
The loss halted a two-match unbeaten run for the Pirates (3-8-4, 0-4-2 BIG EAST) who had allowed one goal in draws with Creighton and Xavier leading up to the contest with the reigning conference champions. Marquette (8-6-2, 4-1-1 BIG EAST) has now won its last 27 home matches against league opponents - the second-longest such streak in the nation.
The Golden Eagles cashed in on three of 10 opportunities from the corner flag in the contest while The Hall was held without a corner kick for the first time since the 2012 season.
Making their BIG EAST Digital Network debut, the Pirates controlled the pace of play early and it was Kristin Kosch (Mahwah, N.J.) who generated the first scoring opportunity of the night when she won a loose ball in the area and fired a low shot on target in the third minute but Marquette keeper Amanda Engel went to ground to make the stop.
Approaching the midway point of the first half, the hosts began to heap pressure on the Seton Hall net. The initial breakthrough and eventual game-winner came in the 21st minute when an in-swinging corner kick from Jacie Jermier found the head of Morgan Proffitt at the back post. Sophomore keeper Illissa Blackshear (West Orange, N.J.) did well to parry the first point-blank effort but the rebound ricocheted right back to Proffitt who re-directed it home for her first goal of the season.
The Seton Hall defense limited the Golden Eagles' opportunities to extend the lead over the 13 minutes, blocking three of four shot attempts during the stretch.
Marquette's Erin Holland eventually doubled the Pirates' deficit however, depositing a corner kick from Alex Heffron past Blackshear with a well-placed header of her own.
The BIG EAST leader in goals against average and save percentage entering the night, Blackshear delivered a highlight aerial save on a long range shot from Darian Powell in the 44th minute, displaying the abilities that have helped her collect four clean sheets in 12 starts.
MU took a 2-0 advantage into the break and off their first corner kick of the second period, Darian Powell pounced on a deflection and sent a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to put the Golden Eagles on top, 3-0.
With all three goals allowed coming off corner kicks, Seton Hall has now gone four consecutive matches without conceding a goal in the run of play. DePaul took a 1-0 victory on the strength of a direct free kick on October 2 while both the Pirates and Creighton struck from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw in Omaha on October 5.
Seton Hall will wrap up the road portion of its schedule this Sunday, October 19 with a trip to Villanova. Start-time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
