Seton Hall University
UMass-Lowell
Akinyode, Spindler Lead MSOC to 2-0 Win Over UML
8/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Seton Hall (1-0-1) won a very physical match that featured a combined 28 team fouls and four yellow cards. Making matters worse, it was a very hot and humid day that led to several delays with players suffering cramps and other minor injuries.
Fresh on the heels of a 5-0 loss to Monmouth on Friday, UMass-Lowell entered the contest focusing on their defense. It was evident in the first half as most of the action took place on their side of the field with their team tightly packed in a defensive mindset.
The teams went scoreless through the first 45 minutes, but the Pirates weren't without their opportunities. In the 11th minute, Victor Manosalvas (Clifton, N.J.) fed John Philbin (Emmaus, Pa.) with a nifty lead pass into the box, but UML goalkeeper Austin Kroll did a nice job saving Philbin's shot. Three minutes later, Kai Greene (South Orange, N.J.) send a long lead pass to Samuel Geiler (Offenburg, Germany) up the left side. Geiler made a nice move around one defender, but his shot caromed off the left post.
In the 18th minute, Geiler and Greene hooked up again as Geiler fed Greene, who slipped past the defense. Greene's shot from about 12 yards however, was stopped by Kroll.
In the second half, Seton Hall finally broke through with Akinyode's goal in the 50th minute. The ball was fed into the box and Greene had a shot from point-blank range. Kroll made the save, but could corral the rebound. The ball found Akinyode's foot and he banged it home for his first score of the season.
In the 72nd minute, the Pirates got a little insurance. Seton Hall was awarded a penalty kick off a corner and the senior Manosalvas calmly put the ball in the upper left corner of the goal to give Seton Hall a 2-0 advantage.
From there, Seton Hall goalkeeper Julian Spindler (Weiersbach, Germany) did the rest. The sophomore made five saves in route to his third career shutout.
Seton Hall will return to action on Wednesday, September 10 when it travels to the University of Delaware. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
