Pirates Fall to Duke in Seaon Opener, 2-1

Thursday, August 20

Durham, N.C.

8 p.m.

Seton Hall University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Duke

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Seton Hall	1	0	1
Duke	1	1	2

8/20/2026 11:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite netting the opening goal, the Seton Hall men's soccer (0-1-0) fell to the Duke Blue Devils (1-0-0), 2-1, in a physical, season-opening bout inside Koskinen Stadium.

The Pirates snatched an early advantage off a goal by Maplewood native Charlie Herley in his Seton Hall debut, but two unanswered goals over the remainder of the game proved too much for the Pirates to overcome, falling in 2-1 in the end to open the season.

With the loss, the Pirates move to 0-1-0 to open the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
As the Pirates kicked off the 2026 season in Durham, the early offensive pressure favored the visitors. After maneuvering through the midfield, the Pirates earned a free kick from just outside the attacking third. Midfielder Til Kauschke slowly lined up the ball before launching it into the box as both sides rushed in to try and get a piece of it. With immense precision, Kauschke's kick landed on the head of wingback Charlie Herley, who sent it flying past the Blue Devils' goalie to give The Hall a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.

Despite holding the advantage, the Pirates' offensive pressure began to wane as the half went on. Eventually, in the 38^th minute, Duke equalized the match with a free kick of their own, sneaking the ball past Devin Armstrong to draw the proceedings even at 1-1. Both sides found additional pressure in the remaining minutes of the opening half, but neither side could convert, sending the game to the break all tied up.

Out of the break, the Pirates' offense remained on uneasy footing against the Blue Devils' defense. After facing immense pressure on a counter attack, a loose ball for Duke found the back of the net in the 51^st minute, putting The Hall down 2-1 with 49 minutes remaining. Despite their best efforts, including playing ten different field players off the bench, Seton Hall could not find an equalizer and fell to Duke in the season opener, 2-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Herley recorded his first goal of the season.
Kauschke recorded his first assist of the season and ninth of his career.
Armstrong recorded seven saves.
Seton Hall were outshot by Duke 15-to-8.
The Pirates had three corners to the Blue Devils eight.
The two sides combined for 33 fouls and nine yellow cards.
Across the full 90 minutes, 20 of the Pirates' 24 field players played at least 10 minutes.

NEWS & NOTES

With the loss, Seton Hall moves to 0-1-0.
Additionally, Seton Hall is now 0-2-1 against the Blue Devils all-time.
Hannes Ottosson, Gui Dos Santos, Tim Valentine, Sammy Sansone, Lukas Syah, Brock Warren and Giacomo Graziani made their collegiate debuts.

UP NEXT
The Pirates will stay in Durham, North Carolina, before taking on the Campbell Camels at Koskinen Stadium. Match time is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.