SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – Seton Hall’s Luke Vercollone scored a goal and set up the freshman Sacha Kljestan’s game-winner as Seton Hall defeated Pittsburgh 2-1 Saturday at Owen T. Carroll Field. With the victory, No. 23 Seton Hall improves to 3-1-2 overall and 1-0-2 in the BIG EAST. Pittsburgh falls to 2-5-0 and 1-2-0 in the Big East.

Kljestan scored the game-winner at 81:10 when he received a pass in the middle of the box from Vercollone and put it past the keeper from 15 yards. The Pirates then held off a late rally by Pittsburgh to secure the victory.

The Panthers’ lone goal came at 82:33 when Mike Cunha sent a pass into the box that Johnathan Clow took and put into the right corner. The goal was the first allowed by the Pirates against a Big East opponent this season.

The Pirates’ first goal came at 7:37 when Vercollone intercepted a pass from a Pittsburgh defender to the goalkeeper and shot it into an open net from inside the box to record his second goal of the year. Seton Hall pressured the Panthers throughout the first half, out shooting them 10-3, but could not put another goal on the board.

SHU continued to control the game in the second half and had a chance to increase its lead when junior John Golncalves had a shot from 10 yards out hit the post and roll along the line before being cleared out by the Pittsburgh defense.

Seton Hall held a 17-7 advantage in shots but failed to finish several scoring chances. Freshman Ian Joyce made his second start of the year and had five saves to earn the win. Pittsburgh’s Justin Lowery made six saves.

Seton Hall 2, Pittsburgh 1

Pittsburgh             0  1 -- 1

Seton Hall             1  1 -- 2



SCORING SUMMARY

SHU     Luke Vercollone 7:37

SHU     Sacha Kljestan (Vercollone)    81:10

UP      Johnathan Clow (Mike Cunha)    82:33



Shots:  SHU 17; UP 7

Corner Kicks:  SHU 4; UP 7

Saves:  SHU (Ian Joyce) 5;

        UP (Justin Lowery) 6