Sept. 30, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Junior Nicole Antonini and senior Katelyn O'Brien each tallied two goals to power Saint Joseph's (6-3) to a 4-1 victory over Columbia (4-5) in field hockey on Finnesey Field, 4-1.

A more evenly played game than the final score dictated, the Hawks used a quick strike attack to seize the lead in the first half and break the game open in half number two. The Hawks tallied on their first two shots on goals. O'Brien struck first redirecting a pass from the top of the circle by senior Shelley Meier into the goal at the 10:48 mark. Antonini then struck less than four minutes later off a pass from O'Brien to give SJU a 2-0 lead at intermission.

The Lions made things interesting early in the second half when junior Lauren Cosan scored 11:04 into the period off a pass from teammate Erin Wesseldine to trim the lead in half.

The game tightened after the Columbia goal, but SJU broke the game open as Antonini and O'Brien each added another goal just 47 seconds apart to provide the final margin. Sophomore Brooke Henry played a ball into the circle and Antonini redirected it into the goal for her 10th goal of the season. O'Brien then tallied off a pass from Antonini to close it out.

Saint Joseph's held only a slim 9-8 edge in shots for the game and the Lions attempted three penalty corners to just two for the Hawks. SJU's Rebecca Cunfer registered three saves to earn the victory. CU's Kristina Miller suffered the loss in goal after allowing two first half goals. She was replaced by teammate Gena Miller, who made three saves.

SJU returns to action on Sunday afternoon at Georgetown. \