SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – A converted penalty kick in the second half gave Seton Hall (1-0, 0-0) a 2-1 victory over FDU (0-1, 0-0) in the 2026 season opener on Sunday night. Senior
Ana Salas scored the Knights' lone goal.
The rain-soaked affair began with a Pirates' goal in the 6'. Courtesy of a pass from the midfield, Kileigh Gorman found herself behind FDU's last defender and fired a shot into the top of net.
Despite surrendering the match's first goal, FDU spent the remainder of the half on the attacking end. Shots from Salas and
Madeline Marricco nearly leveled the score but Seton Hall was able to fend off these attempts.
In the 21', FDU capitalized off a deflection right outside the Pirates' box. Freshman
Izarbe Grao collected the loose ball and sprung Salas past Seton Hall's backline. Salas volleyed the ball past the keeper for the Knights' first goal of 2026. Grao was credited with her first career assist and point on the play.
FDU outshot Seton Hall 6-4 in the first half.
The Knights were not afforded the same number of goal-scoring opportunities in the final 45 minutes. They failed to register a shot and ended up on the wrong side of a penalty in their own box. This foul in the 65
' resulted in a penalty kick goal for Gianna Angelillo and ultimately decided the match.
While the contest served as the season opener for both squads, it certainly did not lack intensity. The foul count rose to 27 by the end of the 90 minutes, and seven yellow cards were issued.
FDU utilized a majority of their bench as 17 Knights saw minutes. Seven players made their debut for the Burgundy and Blue.
FDU will face off against Maryland in a road match this Thursday, August 20, at 7 p.m.
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