Feb. 28, 2009
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA--The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse made history on Saturday with their 10-7 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday at Finnesey Field. SJU won two games in the month of February and defeated an ECAC opponent for the first time in program history. Charlie Gorman had two goals and two assists, Scott Cullinan netted three while Erik Hotaling made nine saves, all in the final three periods for Saint Joseph's.
In a tense match match-up between two even sides, SJU managed to outlast the Scarlet Knights. The Hawks out-scored Rutgers, 4-1, in the second half behind goals from Gorman, Cullinan and Joey D'Avanzo. The last goal, an unassisted wrap around shot with just 1:44 remaining, was the final insurance goal SJU would need to put the Knights away.
Gorman's pair came in the crucial third period after a deadlocked 6-6 halftime score. Goals with 12:46 and 4:57 remaining in the frame, respectively, gave the Hawks a two-goal cushion heading in the fourth.
Alex Lopes assisted each of the third period goals and had three altogether in the game.
In the fourth Rutgers (1-3) couldn't get into an offensive flow, but received a boost by a transition goal from Tad Stanwick, his first of the season with 4:29 remaining. Saint Joseph's (2-2) wasted no time in responding as Cullinan was fed by Lopes to push the lead to two again just 29 seconds later.
"After a bad first five or so minutes, we played a really good final 55 minutes," Head coach Pat Cullinan said. "Our guys kept fighting and our defense really held up and played strong today. I'm proud of everyone, this is a big win for us."
The Hawks got off to a slow start as Rutgers raced out to an early 3-0 lead in just 6:08. Quick three-goal leads haven't proved helpful to the Knights as they lost to UMBC last week after leading the Terriers 3-0.
SJU would respond with five straight goals over the next 11:29. Sean Evans provided the first on an assist from Drew Mandela and Scott Cullinan scored back-to-back goals, one of which was from Tom Dunn. Chris O'Neill and Evans struck in the second period to make the game 5-3 with 10:17 left off passes from Gorman.
The Knights would score three of the next four goals, the lone SJU tally coming from R.J. Bopf, his first of the year off an excellent pass from Evans.
Erik Hotaling was stellar in net again as all nine of his saves were made in the final three stanzas. The senior goalkeeper also picked up seven ground balls on the day.
Saint Joseph's defense was tough on Rutgers, causing 14 of RU's 20 turnovers on the day. The Hawks out-shot the Knights 30-29 and cleared the ball in an efficient 80 percent clip. Rutgers, on the other hand, was 63 percent on clears.
The Scarlet Knights dominated the center "X" winning 16 of 20 face-offs and taking a 29-24 ground ball advantage.
The win marked the first victory for Saint Joseph's over a current ECAC squad and was the first win over the Knights in six tries. Additionally, the Hawks won their second game in February, the first time that has happened in program history.
It is also the first time Saint Joseph's has won two non-conference games since the 1998 season. The 2-2 start is the best since 2000 when SJU started 6-0 en route to a 12-4 season and a MAAC Championship.
The Hawks will continue its four-game homestand when they take on Bellarmine at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Finnesey Field. SJU will try to avenge last year's 12-9 loss to the Knights from Kentucky.
Box Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Rutgers 3 3 0 1 7
SJU 3 3 2 2 10
SJU Goals: Scott Cullinan 3 (6), Charlie Gorman 2 (4), Sean Evans (2) 7, Joey D'Avanzo (3), R.J. Bopf (1), Chris O'Neill (2)
SJU Assists: Alex Lopes 3 (6), Charlie Gorman 2 (3), Tom Dunn (1), Sean Evans (4), Drew Mandela (1)
SJU Points: Charlie Gorman 4 (7), Sean Evans 3 (11), Scott Cullinan 3 (7), Alex Lopes 3 (6), Chris O'Neill (4), Drew Mandela (1), Tom Dunn (3), Joey D'Avanzo (3), R.J. Bopf (1)
Photos from today's games can be found at sidephotos.com
