Sam Bjork Leads Pirates to 1-0 Senior Day Victory Over Villanova

Saturday, November 2

South Orange, NJ

2 PM

Seton Hall University

11-5-1, 4-3-1

Villanova

1-10-6, 0-7-1

Villanova

Seton Hall

Sam Bjork Leads Pirates to 1-0 Senior Day Victory Over Villanova

11/2/2024 5:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – A early Sam Bjork goal helped Seton Hall men's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Villanova at Owen T. Carroll Field on Senior Day in both team's final BIG EAST match of the season.

The Pirates and the Wildcats exchanged early midfield battles before the Wildcats received the first goal opportunity. It remained unconverted, however, and the Pirates went right down the field and scored on a Sam Bjork goal. Matias Molina and the Pirates defense held strong through the remaining 70 minutes, while also creating great offensive chances. Despite not finding a second goal, the Pirates secured the 1-0 victory over Wildcats.

With the win, The Hall ends the regular season with a 11-5-1 overall record and a 4-3-1 record in BIG EAST play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half began with the Pirates' normal feeling out period, exchanging possession and fouls in the midfield.

In the 15^th minute, off a failed Wildcats attacking chance, three graduating players combined for the Pirates' game-winning goal on Senior Day. Mans Saebbo pushed the ball into the box launching a cross across the endline. After bouncing off of Hugo Gerbore mid-cross, Sam Bjork launched the ball into the back off the net from the far post.

Villanova's best chance came in the 38^th minute when a Wildcat corner kick ricocheted around the box, but The Hall's defense held strong and block both shots before clearing the ball.

The Hall nearly scored a second goal in the 40^th minute where Til Kauschke and Tim Strobeck both launched shots on goals in the span of 15 seconds, forcing two saves out of the Wildcats' keeper. The Pirates would keep pushing though, securing a 11-5 advantage in shots heading into halftime.

In the second half, the match became a defensive affair with each team receiving spare goal scoring opportunities. While being outshot 5-2 in the second half, Matias Molina and the Pirates defense held strong, securing the 1-0 victory for the Pirates.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Sam Bjork scored his second goal of the season.
Mans Saebbo registered his first assist of the season.
Hugo Gerbore registered his second assist of the season.
The Pirates registered 13 shots to the Wildcats' 10.
Seton Hall has 11 corners to the Villanova's 6.

NEWS & NOTES

Seton Hall ends the regular season with a record of 11-5-1, while Villanova moves to 1-10-6.
The Hall ends the regular season with a 4-3-1 record in BIG EAST play.
This was the 41^st all-time matchup between the two programs, the first of which came in 1984.
Seton Hall is now 23-16-2 all-time against Villanova with a 3-1-1 record in their last five matches.

UP NEXT
Seton Hall will compete in the BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals on November 9^th against St. John's in Queens, New York. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.