Seton Hall University
St. John's
WSOC Clipped by St. John's; 1-0
10/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Rachel Daly was in the right place at the right time for visiting St. John's on Saturday, capitalizing on a loose ball in the area and scoring the lone goal of the afternoon to give the Red Storm a 1-0 victory over the Seton Hall women's soccer squad.
The loss was the seventh in conference play over the last two seasons that has come by just a single goal for The Hall (3-9-5, 0-5-3 BIG EAST). The result also marked the fifth time in the last six meetings that the Pirates and Red Storm have been separated by one goal.
Daly, who missed the previous match for her team as St. John's (10-6-1, 6-1-1 BIG EAST) sustained its first loss in league play, fired a game-high six shots in her return to action. The decisive strike came in the 59th minute teammate Shea Connors lost her balance in the box and appeared to lose possession. Seton Hall was unable to clear the danger however, and an opportunistic Daly collected and unleashed a deceptive shot that snuck inside the far post for the eventual game-winner.
It was the second consecutive year that the English native has provided the difference in a 1-0 win for St. John's over the Pirates.
The Hall was not without its own chances on the day as freshman Jackie Saint John (Ridgefield, N.J.) nearly put the home side in front just over 11 minutes into the action, breaking free down the left wing. Saint John sent a sliding touch towards goal but a rushing Diana Poulin was able to parry it away.
Saint John totaled a team-high three attempts at goal in her return to the starting lineup but SHU could not break through against what has been the top defensive unit in BIG EAST play.
Sophomore keeper Illissa Blackshear (West Orange, N.J.) recorded three of her four saves in the first half - including a stellar save of her own on a shot from Connors in the 29th minute - to send the two rivals into the break scoreless.
Connors nearly doubled the advantage less than two minutes after Daly opened the scoring but her header ricocheted back off the bar.
With the clock ticking down, Saint John worked one last opportunity for the Pirates to pull level but her effort sailed high.
Despite the loss, it was the 13th time in 17 matches under first year head coach Rick Stainton that The Hall has conceded one goal or less - a record that includes six shutouts.
Outside the field of play, the Pirates honored the memory of Mary Jennings, a Seton Hall student-athlete and member of the College of Education who passed away in 2006 at the age of 21. A number of university organizations assisted in coordinating efforts aimed at raising funds for the Mary Jennings Memorial Scholarship Fund.
For more information on how you can contribute please click HERE
The Pirates will wrap up the 2014 campaign next Friday, October 31 when they welcome Georgetown to South Orange on Senior Day. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. but those aiming to attending Senior Day festivities should plan to arrive early if possible.
