Ryssdalsnes, Rubio Push Pirates Past UConn in BIG EAST Opener, 2-1

Friday, September 18

Storrs, Conn.

6 p.m.

Seton Hall University

3-2-2, 1-0-0

UConn

3-4-2, 0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Seton Hall	2	0	2
UConn	0	1	1

Ryssdalsnes, Rubio Push Pirates Past UConn in BIG EAST Opener, 2-1

9/18/2026 9:32:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

STORRS, CONN. – Aided by a pair of first-time goalscorers, the Seton Hall men's soccer team (3-2-2, 1-0-0 BE) downed the UConn Huskies (3-4-2, 0-1-0 BE), 2-1, inside Morrone Stadium on Friday night to open BIG EAST play.

Inside the first 15 minutes, the Pirates quickly found themselves with a 2-0 lead. It began with a bicycle kick goal by Sivert Ryssdalsnes, which was quickly followed by a near-post screamer by Nico Rubio. Despite holding the Huskies scoreless for over an hour of match time, UConn scored on a penalty kick to make it a 2-1 game with 29 minutes to play. The Pirates' defense held strong, however, shutting out the Huskies' offense over the remainder of the match to claim the win in the opening match of BIG EAST play.

With the win, the Pirates move to 3-2-2 on the season and 1-0-0 in BIG EAST play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opening minutes of The Hall's BIG EAST opener, the Pirates' defense was tested against a UConn offense riding a five-match unbeaten streak. They held strong defensively in the opening ten minutes, though the visitors struggled to convert that defense into any offensive momentum. However, the proceedings quickly moved into The Hall's favor as the 15-minute mark approached.

In the 14^th minute, after the Huskies misplayed the ball inside their own box, they sent it to the feet of Joaquin Brizuela. Brizuela battled through contact before dishing the ball to a streaking Sivert Ryssdalsnes. He would not control the ball for long, however, as the Huskies' defense swarmed the Norwegian to dispossess him. However, a failed clearance attempt rattled off Brizuela's body and toward Ryssdalsnes. This time, he took advantage of the ball's airtime and readied himself to shoot. With immense grace, the junior winger launched a bike kick past Kyle Durham to the far post to give the Pirates the 1-0 lead.

OH MY BICYCLE 😱🚲

Sivert Ryssdalsnes scores a WORLDIE to give the Pirates the lead!#HALLin🔵⚪️⚽️ | 🏴‍☠️x🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/fqWuo9dJaT
— Seton Hall Men's Soccer (@SHUMSOC) September 18, 2026

However, The Hall were not done scoring in the first half. Less than two minutes later, another chaotic offensive sequence began in UConn's defensive third. Nico Rubio rattled a shot off the post, allowing the ball to ricochet to Giacomo Mana. Mana launched a shot of his own, but the sophomore's shot was blocked and flew outside the box. Luckily for the Pirates, the ball found its way directly to the feet of Rubio. The senior launched the ball on his first touch, sneaking it past Durham at the near post to double The Hall's lead to 2-0 with his first collegiate goal.

HE FINALLY HAS HIS FIRST 😤

Nico Rubio, in his 48th collegiate match, doubles the lead his first career goal!#HALLin🔵⚪️⚽️ | 🏴‍☠️x🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7SwHMGLOmq
— Seton Hall Men's Soccer (@SHUMSOC) September 18, 2026

Even with a 2-0 lead, Seton Hall looked to increase its advantage further in the first half. However, UConn began to find a new level of offensive momentum in the closing stages. Yet, the Pirates' defense quelled the Huskies' late advances to head to the break with a two-goal lead.

In the opening 15 minutes of the second half, The Hall mounted another strong offensive push. Balls flew like cannon fodder at the Huskies' net, but Durham saved all four shots on target for UConn to keep the Pirates from expanding their lead.
Unfortunately, not long after, a foul in Seton Hall's defensive third led to a penalty kick for the Huskies, which they narrowly converted to make it a one-goal lead, 2-1, in favor of the Pirates with 29 minutes remaining in the match.
Remembering what happened in their last match, the Pirates continued to push offensively, but the team found themselves playing a heavy bunker defense in the closing stages. Despite UConn holding a 7-to-0 advantage in shots from that point on, the Pirates' defense held strong. One final scoring chance for the Huskies was waived off inside the final two minutes for interference with the goalkeeper, allowing the Pirates to play keep-away to secure the 2-1 victory to open BIG EAST play.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Rubio recorded his first collegiate goal
- He also raised his season points tally to a team-leading mark of five.
Ryssdalsnes notched his first goal of the season.
Brizuela added his second assist of the season.
Seton Hall was outshot by UConn 16-to-10.
- However, the Pirates won the shots-on-target battle seven-to-four.
The two sides combined for 30 fouls.
The Pirates received six yellow cards, while the Huskies tallied one yellow and one red card.

NEWS & NOTES

With the win, Seton Hall moves to 3-2-2 and 1-0-0 in BIG EAST play.
The Pirates are now 17-16-5 all-time against the Huskies and 3-1-1 in the last five meetings..

UP NEXT
The Pirates will close their three-game road trip on Tuesday, September 22, when they travel to Princeton, New Jersey, to take on the No. 11 Princeton Tigers. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the match being broadcast on ESPN+.