Oct. 20, 2004

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore Nicole Antonini scored 1:24 into overtime and Saint Joseph's (8-6) rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to stun Villanova (9-6) in field hockey action on Finnesey Field. Junior Katelyn O'Brien and sophomores Maureen Casserly and Lauren Luft added goals for SJU.

The Hawks rallied scoring three goals in the second half to force the extra session. Trailing 2-0 at the intermission, SJU got on the board early in the second stanza when Luft connected on a breakaway off an assist from Antonini just 3:17 into half number two.

The Crimson and Gray thought they had evened the game two minutes later after junior Hilary Moody cracked the ball into the cage on a penalty corner. The goal was waved off, however and Villanova added a goal of its own less than one minute later for a 3-1 lead. Wildcat freshman Catherine Somits tipped the ball home at the far post off a pass from sophomore Megan Foster.

Down two goals, St. Joe's increased the offensive intensity. The Hawks trimmed the lead to 3-2 on a goal by O'Brien at the 21:34 mark. A broken corner play, the ball kicked out to senior Angela Hanna on the left side. She then cracked a shot toward goal which O'Brien redirected into the net.

The equalizer came with under six minutes to play in regulation. Another corner situation, SJU couldn't get the ball set. Moody, though, stepped up and swatted a pass to freshman Brooke Henry in the middle of the fray. Henry quickly crossed the ball to the left side where Casserly punched the ball home to knott the game at 3-3.

A high-scoring affair, the end came quickly in overtime. After Villanova opened play in the extra period, SJU intercepted a pass and stormed the other way on a 3-1 counter attack. O'Brien drew a defender near the top of the circle and dished a pass off to Antonini who finished off the gamewinner.

Villanova had built a 2-0 lead in the opening half. Sophomore Lauren Campanelli put VU up 1-0 just 2:33 into the game off a pass from Foster. Junior Rory Rogers then made it 2-0 late in the half. Scoring with just 4:49 remaining in the opening half, Rogers tallied with an assist from junir Gina DeMaestri.

The game was evenly played throughout the first half, but SJU took control in hald number two. SJU had an 11-3 advantage on shots in the second frame.

For the game, SJU outshot Villanova 20-14 and the Hawks also had a 9-6 edge in penalty corners.

VU sophomore netminder Erin Scott made 10 saves, while her counterpart, SJU's Rebecca Cunfer, turned aside six shots.

The game was the third straight overtime affair for SJU.

SJU returns to action on Saturday at West Chester.