Four-Match Road Swing Ends Wednesday at Columbia
10/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Columbia Match Notes 
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The Seton Hall University men's soccer team's season-long four-match road trip will come to a conclusion on Wednesday night, when the Pirates cross the Hudson to face Columbia University in New York City at 7 p.m.
Seton Hall is still looking for its first point during the four-game stretch, and its first win away from home in 2014. Last Saturday night's tilt at No. 11 Creighton was a close call as the Pirates erased a two-goal second half deficit to tie things up at 2-2 in the 82nd minute, before the Bluejays struck in the 90th minute to come away with the win in regulation.
The local rivalry with Columbia dates back to the 1950 season, and this will be the 20th all-time meeting between the two programs, with The Hall leading the series, 13-4-2. However, SHU and Columbia have played just twice since 1998, briefly rekindling the rivalry in 2010 and 2011. As a result the Pirates have not won at Columbia since 1995, losing the last two matchups at Rocco B. Commisso Stadium.
The highest profile meeting between the two squads came back in 1990, when Columbia hosted Seton Hall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with the Lions capturing a 2-1 victory. That season the squads tied in their regular season matchup in South Orange, 3-3.
In Wednesday night's game one of the most important factors for Seton Hall will be getting off to a hot start as the Pirates are now 0-5-1 when allowing their opponent to score first, which has happened in each of the three matches so far during this road swing.
Columbia is playing just its fourth home match of the season, where the Lions are 2-1. However, Columbia has lost two-straight and three of its last four, including its Ivy League opener at Brown over the weekend.
The Lions are led by Francisco Agrest and Antonio Matarazzo, who lead the squad with three goals and three assists respectively.
SERIES HISTORY VS. COLUMBIA
Seton Hall leads the all-time series against Columbia 13-4-2 and the two teams will be meeting for the first time since the 2011 season. The Hall won the last matchup, 1-0, at home back in 2011, but the Pirates are searching for their first win at Columbia since Oct. 4, 1995, falling in their last two road battles with the Lions. The two local squads met every season between 1986-98 before going more than 12 seasons before a home-and-home in 2010-11.
ON THE BOARD
Freshman midfielder Patrick Burd netted the first goal of his career in the Pirates' 3-2 loss at No. 11 Creighton on Oct. 4, one-timing a deflection from the 18-yard line into the upper 90. Burd has made a significant impact during his first season at Seton Hall, appearing in six matches with five starts.
BRELA NETS HIS SECOND
Senior defender Mateusz Brela scored his second goal of the season in Seton Hall's 3-2 loss at No. 11 Creighton, marking the first time in his career the center back has scored twice in a season. Brela currently ranks third on the team with a pair of goals and an assist for five points, and now has three goals in his career.
MAKING THE STOPS
It was another career-high in saves for sophomore goalkeeper Julian Spindler in a 3-2 loss at No. 11 Creighton on Oct. 4, as the Pirates' keeper turned away eight shots for the first time in his career, surpassing his previous career-best of seven, set earlier this season. Spindler currently ranks 41st in the nation with 40 saves and has also posted a career-best three shutouts.
