In a high-stakes BIG EAST match with postseason implications, Seton Hall men's soccer drew the Akron Zips, 1-1, in South Orange in front of a packed crowd at...
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Seton Hall University Athletics
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SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – In a high-stakes BIG EAST match with postseason implications, Seton Hall men's soccer (5-2-6, 2-0-3 BIG EAST) drew the Akron Zips (8-3-3, 2-2-1 BIG EAST), 1-1, in South Orange in front of a packed crowd at Owen. T Carroll Field.
The Pirates found themselves on the back foot early after Akron scored on a breakaway in the seventh minute to go in front, 1-0. As the minutes passed, the Pirates eased their way into the game before a late surge in the second half. Eventually, The Hall found an equalizer in the 39th minute after
Mikkel Lejbowicz sent a ball saved by Akron's keeper into the back of the net to even things at 1-1.
While the Pirates' offense found a firmer footing in the second half, the Zips were still pushing hard to break the draw. However, neither side could break the draw as the clock struck 90 minutes.
With the draw, The Hall moves to 5-2-6 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
As the sun set on this BIG EAST clash, the visitors entered the opening minutes of this match ready to snatch a road win in South Orange. Akron dominated possession in the opening minutes, keeping the Pirates from even stringing together multiple passes. Their pressure culminated in the visitors scoring in the 7th minute against an unsettled Seton Hall defense, putting the home side down 1-0 early.
Slowly, however, the Pirates regained a semblance of momentum as the half went on. After a string of subs starting in the 30th minute, the Pirates' offense finally began to exert offensive pressure. In the 39th minute, after a
Sam Bjork shot from the wing was saved by the Zips' keeper,
Mikkel Lejbowicz collected the saved ball and drove it past the keeper to even the game up at 1-1, following an extensive VAR review. The Pirates earned one more offensive chance before time expired on the half, but the two sides entered the half locked in a 1-1 draw.
After a first half that was already very physical, both sides increased the physicality threefold in the second half. Both sides combined for eight fouls and two yellow cards in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, with strong chances mixed in from the Zips.
Seton Hall's best chance of the half came in the 73rd minute when
Nico Rubio cleared a two-versus-one for a clear shot on goal. Ultimately, the senior sailed the shot over the crossbar, keeping the match tied. Neither team managed to find a goal to break the tie as the clock approached 90 minutes, ending this tight contest at 1-1 scoreline.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Pirates were outshot by the Zips 11-8.
- Seton Hall recorded three corner kicks to Akron's seven.
- Lejbowicz scored his third goal of the season.
NEWS & NOTES
- Seton Hall moves to 5-2-6, while Akron moves to 8-3-3.
- The Pirates are now 2-0-3 in BIG EAST play, while the Zips move to 2-2-1.
- The Hall now holds a 0-2-1 record against the Zips.
UP NEXT
Seton Hall will return to action on Tuesday, October 21, when the Pirates travel to Bethlehem, Pa., to take on the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
