Nov. 6, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team fell to Charlotte, 2-1, in an overtime heartbreaker on Friday night at Finnesey Field. Sophomore Shane Kelly scored his first career goal and the lone goal for the Hawks.

Saint Joseph's kept the 49ers scoreless in the first half with freshman goalkeeper Andrew D'Ottavi making four saves in net. The Hawks were only able to get one shot off on net to Charlotte's nine shots, but it was SJU who would get on the board first.

The Hawks came back from the break attacking and at the 55:05 mark Kelly picked up a rebound off of senior Travis Gast's shot and drilled it into the back of the net. The 49ers answered back in the 67th minute when D'Ottavi got his hands on a loose ball and hit it out, but Charlotte's Rex Jennings was there to get the equalizer. Saint Joseph's was resilient with five shots to Charlotte's nine while D'Ottavi was key in net again with four saves to bring the Hawks to overtime.

Saint Joseph's fought until the end, but Charlotte's Luke Exley sent Jennings with a through-ball down the middle for the game-winning goal in the 97th minute of play.

The Hawks had two attempts on net in the overtime period while D'Ottavi made two saves for an eventual 10 saves on the night. D'Ottavi has 98 saves on the season and a .715 save percentage.

The Hawks host Saint Louis on Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. start time at Finnesey Field. Sunday marks the last game of the season and Senior Day on Hawk Hill, as Saint Joseph's will honor graduating seniors Joe Fluehr, Travis Gast, and Jason Lewis.