Feb. 14, 2009

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa.—The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team used fourth quarter heroics to defeat Lehigh, 9-8, on Saturday afternoon at Ulrich Sports Complex.  Sean Evans paced the Hawks with four goals, including the game winner with 34 seconds remaining.

Saint Joseph's (1-1) found itself down 8-6, the largest deficit of the game for either team, with over 11 minutes remaining.  Scott Cullinan scored his second goal of the game with 10:53 thanks to a Chris O'Neill assist to bring the Hawks within one. 

Just 1:18 later, Charlie Gorman notched his first SJU goal to knot the game at eight apiece to set up a nail-biting finish.

In a bit of a role reversal from a year ago where the Hawks let a lead slip away against Lehigh, Saint Joseph's capitalized on their opponents' miscues.  Alex Lopes, 2008's SJU assist leader, picked up where he left up last year, providing the pass to Evans' goal with 34 seconds remaining for the 9-8 win.

Erik Hotaling was excellent in net for the Hawks with 10 saves and seven goals against.  His counterpart, Morgan Haller made eight saves, while allowing nine goals. Griffin Ferrigan made one save and let in one goal off the bench for Saint Joseph's.

Joey D'Avanzo added a goal for the second consecutive game.

For the game SJU outshot the Mountain Hawks by a 39-37 edge and had a 36-32 advantage on ground balls.  Saint Joseph's capitalized on five Lehigh penallties, scoring on two man-up opportunities.

Ryan Tessler had one of his best showings winning 14 of 20 face-offs and picking up seven ground balls.  Tessler won every faceoff in the fourth stanza going a perfect 7-for-7.

The Hawks will take on the Hobart Statesmen in SJU's home opener on Saturday.  Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE                       1              2              3              4              Total

Saint Joseph's                      1              3              1              4              9

Lehigh                                    2              1              3              2              8

SJU Goals: Sean Evans 4 (4), Scott Cullinan 2 (3), Chris O'Neill (1), Joey D'Avanzo (2), Charlie Gorman (1)

SJU Assists: Alex Lopes 2 (2), Scott Cullinan (1), Sean Evans (1), Chris O'Neill (1)

SJU Points: Sean Evans 5 (5), Scott Cullinan 3 (4), Chris O'Neill 2 (2), Alex Lopes 2 (2), Charlie Gorman (1), Joey D'Avanzo (2)