Pirates Close Strong With Senior Night Triumph

Wednesday, November 1

South Orange, N.J.

7 p.m.

Seton Hall University

6-10-1, 3-6-0BE

Villanova

7-11-0, 2-7-0BE

Villanova

Seton Hall

11/1/2017 10:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF BOX

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Each of the 11 seniors honored before the match played a role in a 2-0 win for the Seton Hall men's soccer team (6-10-1, 3-6-0 BIG EAST) over Villanova (7-11-0, 2-7-0 BIG EAST) on Senior Night at Owen T. Carroll Field. All 11 members of the senior class with three recording a point to help back a five-save shutout for classmate Chris Martinez (Englewood, N.J.) in his lone career appearance.

The Hall scored a goal in each half and controlled possession throughout the match during their third shutout of the season. With the win, the Pirates have improved both their total win total and BIG EAST win total in each of the last two seasons.

Turning Points
The Pirates came out of the chutes buzzing, capitalizing on early chances with a 12^th minute strike. Senior Andres Arcila (Cartagena, Colombia) started the scoring play by serving in a long free kick from the Villanova end into classmate Mario Prata (Dracut, Mass.) for a flick-on header in the box. The feed found senior Nick Najera (Laguna Hills, Calif.) who headed a shot towards goal, deflecting off the cross bar and bouncing dangerously in the box. Jonathan Jimenez (Cape Coral, Fla.) was there to clean it up and headed home his second goal of the season.

Looking for an insurance goal late, it was Jimenez who set up Arcila by getting deep and forcing a handball on a shot in the box. In the 73^rd minute, Arcila coolly knocked home his second penalty kick of the season and his ninth total goal to double the lead and effectively ice the contest.

Goals
12^th – Jimenez (2) header off rebound from Najera shot off crossbar
73^rd – Arcila (9) penalty kick
Inside The Numbers

Shots finished even at 12-12, with The Hall holding a 7-5 edge in shots on goal
Both Martinez and VU keeper Will Steiner notched five saves
Corner kicks were 5-4 for Villanova, while the Wildcats were called offside six times versus four times for SHU
Arcila tied for the game-high with three shots, all on goal

News and Notes

The win improves The Hall to 20-13-3 all-time against Villanova
The Pirates finish eighth in the BIG EAST standings with nine points, two spots ahead of their preseason projection
Arcila's ninth goal gives him the most in a season for a Pirate since Samuel Petrone scored nine in 2008
At the conclusion of the regular season, Arcila ranks third in the BIG EAST in overall goals
Seniors Arcila, Patrick Burd, Gaspar Jean-Baptiste, Martinez, Najera, Pedro Neto, Lukas Pangonis, John Philbin, Mario Prata, Chris Salazar and Noah Teperow all played at least five minutes in the victory
An all-senior back four of Najera, Pangonis, Philbin and Teperow helped to back Martinez' shutout