April 11, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA¬--The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team couldn't find its stride defensively, dropping a 13-7 contest to Manhattan on Saturday at rainy Finnesey Field. Sean Evans and Ian Kelly found the net twice, but the Hawks' defense allowed a season-high 13 goals.

Manhattan (6-6, 2-2 MAAC) used an 8-2 run in the second half of play to put the game away as SJU couldn't stop the high-powered Jasper offense. Brendan Burke and Evans scored the lone Hawk goals during that span.

In the first period, Manhattan went up 2-1 behind two Salvator Spatarella tallies, the second of which was scored with just 22 ticks remaining in the period. Joey D'Avanzo found the back of the net on an unassisted marker sandwiched between the two Spatarella goals.

Saint Joseph's (4-7, 2-3 MAAC) fell behind 3-1 when Joe Variano scored a man-up goal for the Jaspers. Evans responded with a goal of his own just 14 seconds later to bring Saint Joseph's within one with 13:47 to go.

Another Variano goal made it 4-2 at 12:14 before Kelly was fed by Burke to bring the Hawks within one again with 7:35 remaining.

Manhattan wasted no time with their answer, finding the net just 11 seconds later to push the lead back to two at 5-3. Saint Joseph's didn't give up as Kelly scored again, assisted by Pat Harner before Keith Belson scored his first collegiate goal with just 22 seconds left in the second period to tie things up at five. Belson scooped up a rebound off an Evans' shot for the equalizer.

Unfortunately for Saint Joseph's, it was all Manhattan the rest of the way. Additionally, the second half momentum for Manhattan turned the competitive game into a chippy affair laden with penalties.

Eighteen penalties were assessed altogether, nine to each team. Thirteen of those penalties came after halftime.

Manhattan capitalized on the man-up opportunities scoring thee-of-nine times. Coming into today's game SJU was second in the nation in penalty killing having given up just six goals, but the three by the Jaspers were the most by any opponent this season. The Hawks, on the other hand, were 0-for-9 on the man-up.

MC's John Geagan had 17 saves on the afternoon, while Erik Hotaling had nine for the Hawks with two ground balls and a caused turnover.

Manhattan out-shot Saint Joseph's, 33-32, while the Hawks had the edge in ground balls picking up 15 to the Jaspers' 12. Both teams committed 18 turnovers.

Saint Joseph's will return to action on Wednesday when the Hawks travel to Mount St. Mary's for their last road game in MAAC play. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. in Emmitsburg, Md.