Sept. 19, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's soccer team extended its winning streak to four games as the Hawks maintained their early 2-1 advantage to down Delaware Friday evening at Finnesey Field. Saint Joseph's (4-2-0) got goals by freshman Jen Pfeiffer and Kortney Rhoades, while classmate Cara Critchlow made several key saves in the final minutes to preserve the victory.

The Fightin' Blue Hens (3-3-1) jumped on the board first off a penalty kick by Alli D'Amico in the third minute. D'Amico had slipped past the Saint Joseph's defense, but was taken down by a trailing SJU defender, drawing a penalty kick by the referee. D'Amico then blasted a shot to the left side off the goal, beating Critchlow just 2:19 into the game.

Saint Joseph's answered just over 10 minutes later, as Pfeiffer tied the game at 1-1 at 12:38. Off a corner kick, Pfeiffer collected a loose ball in the Delaware crease and blasted a shot to the right corner of the net. The ball was stopped by a Fightin' Blue Hen defender, but the referee said the ball had crossed the goal line before the defender touched the ball.

The Hawks' took the lead, 2-1, at 15:30 as Rhoades collected a ball and streaked up the right side of the field, passing a Delaware defender. With a clear look at the goal, Rhoades let loose a shot to the left corner from 20 yards out, beating a diving Annie Bevan between the Delaware pipes.

Holding a 2-1 edge, Saint Joseph's did a good job of keeping the ball in the midfield for a majority of the second half, but Delaware's offense kept the ball deep in the Hawks' zone over the final 10 minutes. Delaware recorded seven of its 12 shots during that period, including three in the last 1:40.

Thankfully for SJU, Critchlow was there, making a point-blank save on a shot by the Fightin's Blue Hens' Ilyssa Friedman with :47 seconds remaining to seal the Hawks' win.

For the game, the Hawks out shot Delaware 16-12, but the Fightin' Blue Hens held a 7-4 edge in corners. Critchlow made five saves for SJU, while Bevan and Breanna Stemler combined for five saves for Delaware.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Sunday at Delaware at 1 p.m.