WSOC Cracks NSCAA Regional Poll
8/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Following a shutout victory over Marist on the road in the 2014 opener, the Seton Hall women's soccer squad has vaulted into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional poll it was announced on Tuesday.
The Pirates (1-1) came in at #10 in the most recent Northeast Region rankings, returning to the poll for the first time since August 2012 when first-year head coach Rick Stainton was patrolling the sidelines as an assistant for The Hall.
Junior co-captain D'Yonna Riley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) struck in the 23rd minute against the Red Foxes to give the Pirates a lead they would never relinquish. The Seton Hall defense allowed just four shots as well en route to becoming the first non-conference team to hold Marist scoreless at home since 2012.
Seton Hall sustained a 1-0 setback at the hands of Rider in its home opener on Monday, but out-shot the Broncs, 15-to-10 while holding the visitors to just four shots on goal.
Teams representing BIG EAST Conference occupied half of the 10-team Northeast Region poll as the Pirates were joined by Georgetown (2-0, #2 NE), St. John's (2-0, #4 NE), DePaul (2-0, #5 NE) and preseason league favorite Marquette (1-1, #7 NE).
The University of Central Florida claimed the top spot after week one, leading a group of four American Athletic Conference schools in the rankings.
Seton Hall returns to action this Friday, August 29 when the squad will take on Rutgers. Start-time is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. from Piscataway.
