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Saint Joseph's University

Saint Joseph's Hawks
Saint Joseph's Hawks
Men's Lacrosse Defeats Canisius, 10-9; Advances to MAAC Championship Final

Men's Lacrosse SJU Athletic Communications

Men's Lacrosse Defeats Canisius, 10-9; Advances to MAAC Championship Final

May 4, 2007

Box Score

Emmitsburg, MD - The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team advances to the final round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship after defeating #2 seed Canisius, 10-9, Friday afternoon. Steve O'Brien notched the goal to cap the win for the Hawks with 29 seconds left in the game.

Saint Joseph's controlled the first half, out shooting Canisius 15-6. Although the Golden Griffins were the first on the board, Steve Varga tied it up before the end of the first quarter after converting a pass from Mike O'Neill. The Hawks then tallied three more goals in the second period to make the score 4-2 going into the half. O'Brien scored his first of four at 12:27 with an assist by Varga and Alex McColough notched two unassisted goals before the half.

Down by two at the half, Canisius tied the game just 69 seconds into the third quarter. O'Brien regained the lead for SJU at 12:13, this time from Chris O'Neill. O'Brien stretched the Hawks' lead to two with three minutes left in the quarter, assisted by Varga. The Golden Griffins scored again, making the score 6-5 going into the final quarter.

The Hawks cushioned their lead with a goal by Varga from Peter Slowik and a goal by Mike O'Neill in the opening 1:20 of the fourth period, making the score 8-5. Canisius climbed back with two goals before Mike O'Neill answered for the Hawks. Varga assisted on the play. The Golden Griffins cut the lead to one with a goal by Kevin Ross and then tied the game at nine with a goal by Michael Benzinger with 5:47 remaining. Canisius turned the ball over at 1:18, which Saint Joseph's grabbed for a good clear and called a timeout with 47 seconds to go.

SJU was able to better handle the challenge of Tim Rowley, Canisius' lead face-off man, winning 11 faceoffs compared to Canisius' 12. The Hawks completed 13 clears for the day and scooped up 28 ground balls.

Erik Hotaling started between the pipes for the Hawks, and played all 60:00 of action. Hotaling made five saves in the contest.

The Hawks return to action Sunday, May 6th in the MAAC Finals where they will face off against Providence. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.

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