Oct. 19, 2008

Box Score

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's field hockey team moved a step closer to another Atlantic 10 Championship berth as the Hawks took care of Saint Louis, 3-0, in a game played at West Chester's Vonnie Gros Field on Sunday morning.

Saint Joseph's (11-5 overall, 3-1 Atlantic 10) dominated play from start to finish, especially in the first half. SJU outshot the Billikens 11-0 in the opening 35 minutes, scoring on a penalty corner attempt for a 1-0 lead with just over 10 minutes to play in the period. Senior Laura Hackenberger notched her first goal of the season on assists from juniors Jennifer Schultz and Kellie Walter. The goal was the second of Hackenberger's career at Saint Joseph's; coincidentally, the other one also came at Vonnie Gros Field in a 6-0 Hawk win over West Chester.

The second half was a little more competitive as Saint Louis (4-10 overall, 0-3 Atlantic 10) was able to get some offensive pressure, but the Hawk defense remained stout. Senior Krista Bordogna tallied her sixth goal of the season at 52:15 as Walter added her second helper of the day. Schultz closed out the scoring with 11:38 to play as she scooped the ball up at midfield and took it all the way into the arc before lifting a shot over SLU goalkeeper Katherine Deem.

For the game, SJU outshot the visitors 20-4 and also held a 10-2 advantage in corners. Deem made eight saves, six of them in the first half, while SJU's Kelly Swanick made one to notch her fourth shutout of the season.

The win puts Saint Joseph's on the brink of the A-10 Championship. The Hawks will officially lock up a spot in the conference tournament with a win in either of their final two conference games or with a loss by West Chester. The Rams host first-place Massachusetts later this afternoon.

Sunday also marked Senior Day, as Saint Joseph's honored its four graduating seniors - Bordogna, Hackenberger, Marisa Pizzi, and Gabriella Schrier - for their hard work and dedication to the program.

The Hawks return to action on Friday for a conference tilt at Massachusetts. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.