April 16, 2008
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Saint Joseph's was able to overcome an early deficit and anemic offense to defeat Mount St. Mary's, 4-3, on Finnesey Field Wednesday night. A dominant third period saw the Hawks net all four of their tallies while holding the Mountaineers without a shot. Andrew Mandela (two goals) and Alex Lopes (two assists) registered two points apiece, while Erik Hotaling made 13 stops to preserve the win for Saint Joseph's.
The Mount controlled much of the first half, scoring two first period goals and applying strong defensive pressure against SJU, holding a 2-0 edge at halftime. The sticks came alive in the third period for Saint Joseph's as the Hawk defense turned crucial turnovers into shot attempts.
Mandela opened the scoring on an unassisted tally that re-energized the Hawks just over five minutes into the third stanza. Just another minute later, Scott Cullinan received a pinpoint pass from Lopes as Cullinan rifled a shot past MSM keeper, T.C. DiBartolo (12 saves) to knot things up.
About three and a half minutes later, Lopes was the assistman again when he found Mandela on the left side for the Hawks' third straight goal to give Saint Joseph's its first lead. The Mount couldn't stop the bleeding despite a timeout as Sean Evans scored his only goal of the game, and what proved to be the game-winner with 2:16 remaining in the third period. The Hawks could end the period with a 14-0 shot advantage.
SJU had to play a bit more defensive in the fourth period as the Mountaineers were desperate for a run of their own. MSM seemed to find some momentum when Dan Mohr tallied his only goal of the game when Hotaling couldn't corral the bouncing shot and it trickled in to make it 4-3 Saint Joseph's with 8:56 remaining. The Hawks were able to thwart off any other charges by The Mount and SJU held on for the win.
The Hawks improved to 3-9 overall, and 3-3 in MAAC play, while Mount St. Mary's dropped to 1-9 overall and 1-4 in the MAAC. The win kept Saint Joseph's in fifth place in the MAAC, a half game behind Manhattan, SJU's opponent next week.
The four goals scored by SJU was the least amount of goals scored the Hawks in a win in program history. The previous low came in 2004 when Saint Joseph's defeated VMI, 5-4.
The Hawks will travel to Staten Island, N.Y. on Saturday to take on last place Wagner at 1:00 p.m.
