Oct. 23, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's soccer team kept its push for an Atlantic 10 Tournament berth alive as the Hawks topped Saint Louis, 2-1, Friday evening at Finnesey Field. Playing through constant rain and strong winds, Saint Joseph's improved to 4-4-1 in the Atlantic 10 and moved into a tie for sixth place in the conference standings with 13 points.

The Hawks (7-7-3 overall) opened the scoring in the first half off a costly Saint Louis turnover. With the ball inside the Billikens' box, Saint Louis failed to clear the ball, as an errant pass went to SJU senior Danielle Debernardo toward the top of the box. DeBernardo gathered the ball and lifted a shot into the top right netting past the Billikens' goalkeeper Hannah Perry to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 30:54.

It remained a one-goal game until midway through the second half. Off a Saint Joseph's corner kick, the Hawks peppered Saint Louis' Perry with three shots, with the third shot, off the foot of SJU junior Lauren Sawyer, finding the back of the net to put her team up 2-0 at 70:01.

The Billikens (7-7-3, 4-3-2 A-10) would keep the ball in the Hawks' half for a majority of the remaining time. With time running down, Saint Louis' Susan Frederickson played the ball up the right side to teammate Ashley Hayes. A Saint Joseph's defender came up to play the ball, but Hayes tapped it past the defender, creating a one-on-one versus the Hawks' freshman goalkeeper Christine Neal. With possession, Hayes put a shot past a diving Neal into the back netting to make it a one-goal game at 85:39.

Saint Louis continued to press the ball deep into the Hawks' end, but Saint Joseph's was able to clear the ball each time to hold on for the 2-1 victory.

For the game, Saint Louis out shot Saint Joseph's 17-5 and held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

In net, Neal made eight saves for her fourth win of the year.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Sunday when the Hawks host Charlotte at noon.