WSOC Renews Rivalry with St. John's Saturday
10/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Mary Jennings Memorial Scholarship Fund l Seton Hall Game Notes (PDF) 
l Live Video ($) l @SHUWSOCCER on Twitter
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall women's soccer team returns to Owen T. Carroll Field on Saturday afternoon as the Pirates will host longtime rivals St. John's in a late-season BIG EAST matchup.
The Hall (3-8-5, 0-4-3 BIG EAST) earned a draw with a shutout of Villanova in its final road contest of the season on Sunday, picking up a point for the third time in the last four outings.
Sophomore keeper Illissa Blackshear (West Orange, N.J.) matched her career-high in saves yet again against the Wildcats, recording eight stops in a single game for the third time this fall. Blackshear is now tied for fifth on the program's all-time single season shutouts list with five and will enter the weekend as the BIG EAST leader with a .827 save percentage through 14 appearances.
As a team, Seton Hall has consistently been one of the top performing defensive units in the league - developing a trademark stinginess in its first season under head coach Rick Stainton.
Leading the effort on the back line recently has been a trio of juniors that includes Melissa Blevins (Laurel Springs, N.J.) as well as co-captains Emily Hansinger (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and D'Yonna Riley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) and the Pirates have allowed the second-fewest goals in the conference (16) with just four of those coming in six previous home matches.
The Pirates also opened up on the attacking end against the Wildcats, firing their highest shot total to this point in conference play in a game that easily could have resulted in three points. Sophomores Sarah Fiorino (Glen Rock, N.J.) and Frankie Maier (Oradell, N.J.) have been two of the primary figures keying the Seton Hall charge against BIG EAST opponents and combined for five shots with three on target at Villanova.
St. John's (9-6-1, 5-1-1 BIG EAST) comes to South Orange just one point behind nationally-ranked DePaul at the top of a crowded conference table but the Red Storm are coming off their first against a league foe having dropped a 1-0 decision at home to a surprising Providence squad on Sunday.
Four of the last five meetings in the series have been decided by a single score and goals figure to come at a premium when the two original BIG EAST members meet on Saturday.
St. John's has rivaled the Pirates defensive prowess, conceding just three goals in their last seven matches. Sophomore keeper Diana Poulin has stopped better than 90 percent she has faced in conference play and STJ has out-scored league opposition by a five-goal margin.
The Pirates will need to monitor reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Rachel Daly - who provided the winner in a 1-0 victory for St. John's against The Hall last season - however as the English native at it again in her second season for the Red Storm.
Daly leads the conference in shots and is tied for sixth with seven goals.
Saturday's match will carry a special meaning as part of a joint initiative between the women's soccer program, the College of Education and Human Sciences and a number of university organizations, the Pirates will honor the memory of Mary Jennings. Jennings a former Pirate who passed away at the age of 21 due to cancer, left a legacy as an engaging member of both the team and university community that is carried on through the Mary Jennings Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about Mary and contribute to the Scholarship Fund that bears her name. If you cannot attend, but would like to contribute, please click HERE
Kick-off between Seton Hall and St. John's is slated for 4:00 p.m. as the contest will follow a men's soccer match against Providence (1:00 p.m.). Follow SHUWSOCCER on Twitter for updates and check SHUPirates.com for a full recap of the action.
