March 21, 2009

Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y.--The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team took out the Canisius Griffins, 7-6, on Saturday at Demske Sports Complex. Charlie Gorman scored three times and Erik Hotaling made 10 saves to fend off a late Griffs rally.

Saint Joseph's (3-5, 1-0 MAAC) jumped on Canisius (0-5, 0-2 MAAC) early as Joey D'Avanzo and Tom Dunn gave SJU a quick 2-0 lead. The Hawks would lead wire-to-wire.

In the pivitol fourth period, Saint Joseph's clung onto a tenuous 5-4 lead. Dunn added his second goal of the day 2:16 into the period to double the lead.

Scott Cullinan scored his only goal of the game came just 4:39 later on a Sean Evans' assisted marker. Cullinan's tally gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game.

The Griffins had back-to-back goals with 1:27 and 1:04 to go, respectively, to make a late charge at 7-6. Canisius won the ensuing face-off after the second goal but a turnover with 14 seconds to go let to a Pat Williams ground ball that sealed the win for Saint Joseph's.

Gorman's trio of goals came during the second period when SJU traded goals with Canisius. Cullinan and Evans assisted on Gorman's second and third goals, respectively. The two squads both finished the second frame with three goals apiece.

SJU was held scoreless in the third, but Canisius couldn't take advantage of it, only scoring one goal to bring the Griffs one at 5-4. Canisius out-shot SJU, 4-1, during the period.

Hotaling's 10 saves helped to stave off Canisius, making seven of them in the first half. The senior goalkeeper also had five ground ball pick ups for the Hawks.

Saint Joseph's out-shot the Griffs, 28-22, while Canisius had a 37-28 advantage in ground balls. Both teams were 0-2 in man-up situations as well.

The Hawks return to Finnesey Field for their first MAAC home game of the season when they take on VMI at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.