Sept. 6, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A goal by senior Marisa Pizzi midway through the second half propelled Saint Joseph's field hockey to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Fairfield Stags. Junior Anne Schreuders assisted on Pizzi's goal and scored one of her own in the game played at Drexel's rain-soaked Buckley Field.

As Tropical Storm Hanna began to make her presence felt throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, the Hawks and Stags started the contest 15 minutes early in an effort to avoid the heaviest rain. Unfortunately for SJU, Fairfield (1-2) came out firing right away, scoring just over three minutes in as Marit Westenberg tallied a goal off of a penalty corner.

Saint Joseph's (2-1) settled in and answered with just over 20 minutes remaining in the stanza. After junior Jennifer Schultz had a shot saved by Fairfield goalkeeper Jennifer Utz, Schreuders scooped up the rebound and slapped it into the cage for the equalizer, her second of the season.

The rains let up briefly at the start of the second half but the Hawks did not, as Pizzi slipped a pass from Schreuders into the goal to notch the game-winner with 21 minutes to go. The Hawks fought off a mad scramble by the Stags, as Fairfield was awarded a penalty corner with no time remaining on the clock. Redshirt freshman Kelly Swanick made two huge saves from point blank range to preserve the victory for SJU.

Swanick finished the contest with seven stops, while Utz had a pair for Fairfield.

The Hawks will now head out on the road for five straight games. The first will be Wednesday night at City Six rival Penn. Game time is scheduled for 7:15.