April 26, 2006

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Junior Alex McColough scored twice as Saint Joseph's (6-9, 5-3 MAAC) put forth a furious fourth quarter comeback, but it wasn't enough as Mount St. Mary's (6-7, 6-1 MAAC) escaped with a 7-5 victory in Metro Atlantic Lacrosse League action on Finnesey Field.

Both teams had opportunities during the opening half of play, but it was the Mount that made the most of their chances. MCM tallied at the 11:50 mark of the first quarter to take a 1-0 lead. The Mountaineers then added a man-up goal just 17 seconds into the second quarter, and two more even trength tallies during the period to take a 4-0 lead at intermission.

The Crimson and Gray finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter on a goal by freshman Alex Lopes. He converted a pass from Andrew Four on the extra-man with 5:31 to play in the period.

MSM took a commanding 6-1 lead after tallying the first two goals of the fourth quarter.

Seniors Keegan Wilkinson and Four helped to spark a furious fourth quarter comeback by Saint Joseph's scoring just 1:50 apart to cut the Mountaineer lead in half at 6-3. Four scored off a pass by senior Frank Abruzzini 10 the 10:00 mark. Wilkinson then muscled his way through traffic to score a man-up goal with 8:10 remaining.

The teams played evenly over the ensuing 6:30, until the Mount netted a backbreaker on a powerplay with 1:29 remaining for a 7-3 lead.

McColough would score twice during the final minute of play to make things interesting, but it wasn't enough.

A tight game throughout each team attempted 33 shots with each team's netminders making big stops. Freshman Erik Hotaling turned aside 10 shots for the Hawks. Joe Zolezzi had four saves for the Mount, before being replaced by Chris Channing 2:59 into the second quarter after a collision in the crease. Channing stopped nine shots in relief.

Each team was effective on the extra-man with Mount converting 2-4 opportunities and SJU going 2-3. MSM won 10-15 faceoffs in the game.

The loss snapped SJU's five game winning streak and concluded the regular season. Saint Joseph's now must wait for the conclusion of the regular season to see where the team will be slotted in the MAAC Championship.