March 28, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA--The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team used an eight-goal first half to cruise past VMI, 9-6, in MAAC Lacrosse play on Saturday at Finnesey Field. Sean Evans notched two goals and two assists while goalkeeper Erik Hotaling was stellar in net allowing just five goals and making 12 stops.

Saint Joseph's (4-5, 2-1 MAAC) opened the scoring when Tom Dunn tallied his fifth of the season just 3:05 into the game. Evans scored his first of the game off a Charlie Gorman assists 2:52 later to make it 2-0.

After a VMI (1-8, 0-3 MAAC) cut the lead in half with 4:11 in the first, Gorman completed a beautiful long pass from Pat Williams to make the game 3-1 with 3:42 to go.

After another VMI score, Rob Saraceni registered his first of the season on a coast-to-coast run past several defenders to make it 4-2 at the end of the first period.

SJU dominated play in the second period scoring four straight goals to open up a six-goal halftime lead. Evans received a helper from Joey D'Avanzo to make it 5-2 while Gorman received a pass from Evans for a 6-2 lead with 8:26 remaining.

Tom Wengenosky scored his first of the season on a terrific run with 6:53 to go setting up D'Avanzo's fifth goal of the season to make it 8-2 at halftime.

The Hawks continued their scoring run, which would be a 6-0, three-period streak, when Brendan Burke notched his first of the season with 8:33 to go in the third. Evans' fourth and final point came on the assists to make the game 9-2.

That would be the last of the scoring for Saint Joseph's, who substituted many of their starters for their reserves. VMI brought one goal back in the third and three more goals late in the fourth period to close the game to three goals at 9-6.

Hotaling was fantastic in net with his 12 saves. He gave up just five tallies and picked up four ground balls.

The Hawks will be in action next week when they travel to Rhode Island to take on the Providence Friars at 2:00 p.m.