Seton Hall University
Villanova
Blackshear, WSOC Earn Draw at Villanova
10/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
VILLANOVA, PA. - Seton Hall sophomore goalkeeper Illissa Blackshear (West Orange, N.J.) matched her career-high with eight saves at Villanova on Sunday, helping the Pirates earn a scoreless draw against the Wildcats.
The Hall (3-8-5, 0-4-3 BIG EAST) recorded a point for the third time in the last four matches with the result while also extending their unbeaten streak to five in the series. Overall, Seton Hall is now 4-0-1 against Villanova (5-8-3, 3-3-1 BIG EAST) since the 2010 season with an 11-0 advantage on the scoreboard during the stretch.
A standout in her first season of action, Blackshear has recorded eight saves in three separate matches this fall and with five clean sheets, the West Orange product is now tied for fifth on the program's all-time single season list.
Despite blustery conditions that complicated attacking play, both squads generated a number of chances to open the scoring. Senior Kristina Meier (Paramus, N.J.) tested Villanova keeper in the 11th minute to notch the first shot on target for either side and it would not be the last time that the two would factor in a crucial part of the proceedings.
Villanova assumed control of the pace of play in the remainder of the opening period, but did not break through a Seton Hall defense that has not conceded a goal in the run of play in over five matches and 500 minutes of action. Blackshear answered the bell five times prior to the intermission, thwarting a particularly dangerous sequence with saves on shots by Villanova's Victoria Gersch and Katie Martin in a span of 50 seconds as the clock ticked toward the half.
The opening moments of the second stanza proved to be eventful as the Wildcats appeared to pull ahead with a strike that was disallowed due to an offside call. In the 51st minute, Meier nearly gave The Hall the advantage as she fired on frame with pace but Meyer went full stretch to tip it over the bar.
It was the first of three saves that the Pirates would force Meyer to come up with over the next six minutes as sophomore Frankie Maier (Oradell, N.J.) and freshman Andrea Palermo (Caledon, Ontario) also threatened with shots on target.
Blackshear faced a similar challenge as the contest entered the final 20 minutes of regulation but the sophomore turned away three more shots to keep Villanova off the board. The Wildcats nearly found a late winner when a corner kick found the head of Emily Damstrom who rang one off the crossbar but the effort ricocheted out of play and The Hall made its sixth foray into extra time this season.
The Pirates held the home side without a shot on target in the two overtime periods but on the other end, tries from Maier and classmate Sarah Fiorino (Glen Rock, N.J.) were not enough to beat Meyer and capture three points.
Seton Hall's five draws this fall are the highest single season total in the 21-year history of the program and four of them have been of the scoreless variety. The Hall has recorded as many as four draws just one other time, that coming in a seven-win 2005 campaign.
SHU remains unbeaten in six matches to reach extra time (1-0-5) in its first campaign under head coach Rick Stainton and has suffered just one setback in 10 overtime matches since the start of the 2012 season. Blackshear has played a major role in the squad's success in the extended matches with all five of her shutouts coming in matches that have gone past 90 minutes.
The final two matches of the regular season will come at home for the Pirates with the first being a rivalry matchup with St. John's scheduled for Saturday, October 25. Kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m. for a match that will see The Hall welcome back past players on Alumni Day and feature a number of events aimed at supporting the Mary Jennings Scholarship Fund..
