Armstrong's Stellar Season Continues in Draw Against No. 18 Xavier - Seton Hall University Athletics
In a duel between two of the best goalies in the conference, the Seton Hall men's soccer team drew the No. 18 Xavier Musketeers at Owen T. Carroll Field.
Box
Men's Soccer vs Xavier on 10/10/2026 - Box Score - Seton Hall University Athletics
Seton Hall University Athletics
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – In a duel between two of the best goalies in the conference, the Seton Hall men's soccer team (3-2-6, 1-0-2 BE) drew the No. 18 Xavier Musketeers (8-0-3, 2-0-2), 0-0, at Owen T. Carroll Field on Saturday afternoon.
Joaquin Brizuela and Tim Valentine battled through a stout Musketeers defense, finding multiple explosive chances. However, they continually found their way into the mitts of Xavier's keeper, Jonny Dennell. However, Devin Armstrong did the same for the Pirates, erasing every single one of the opposition's chances. By the time the final whistle sounded, neither side managed to break the stalemate, ending the match in a scoreless draw.
With the draw, the Pirates move to 3-2-6 on the season and 1-0-2 in BIG EAST play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Off the opening kick, the Pirates built early offensive momentum and immediately pressured the national-ranked Musketeers. Striker Joaquin Brizuela battled through the centerbacks to find opportune chances in the final third. Unfortunately, Xavier's Jonny Menell easily saved both of the Argentine's early shots. Later, on another breakaway, Tim Valentine skidded a ball just past the post for what would have been a goal, keeping the proceedings locked in a draw.
Not long after, Xavier began to find momentum offensively. Eventually, a breakaway of their own sent the Pirates' defense scrambling as they tried to quell the opportunity. However, like he has all season, Devin Armstrong stood tall and erased the chance with his right hand to keep the match even. As the minutes waned, both sides logged a pair of chances, but neither team found paydirt as the match entered the break scoreless.
Out of halftime, Xavier's offense pressured an unsettled Pirates defense that kept falling victim to the referee's whistle. One of those fouls led to a 55th-minute free kick that rattled off the crossbar following a direct attempt by Jose Pedro. Nearly immediately, the Pirates responded and found themselves in the attacking third with a chance to score. After Brizuela sent a shot high, Valentine found himself with another breakaway chance. Unfortunately, this one found his way into Mennell's hands, quashing another Seton Hall chance.
Despite another pair of chances in the final 15 minutes, the could not find the back of the net. They would do the same to the Musketeers, however, ending the match in South Orange in a 0-0 draw.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Armstrong recorded his sixth shutout of the season and lowered his GAA to 0.73 goals per game.
- Brizuela tied his career high with five shots.
- Valentine tallied a career high four shots.
- The Pirates outshot the Musketeers 14-to-13.
- They also tallied seven shots-on-target to their opposition's two.
- The Hall committed 18 fouls compared to eight by Xavier
- With the draw, Seton Hall moves to 3-2-6 and 1-0-2 in BIG EAST play.
- The Hall remains undefeated at home this season
- Additionally, the Pirates are now 2-7-2 against the Musketeers
The Pirates will hit the road and travel to Washington, D.C, to take on the No. 3 Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday, October 17. Opening kick is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the match being broadcast on ESPN+.
