Sept. 18, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's soccer team earned a 0-0 draw against city rival Penn on Friday night at Finnesey Field. Freshman goalkeeper Christine Neal kept her second clean sheet of the season, making two saves, while Penn's Caroline Williams tallied six saves for her first shutout of 2009.

Saint Joseph's (2-3-2) had the run of play in the first half, outshooting the Quakers seven to three. Williams was forced to make four stops in that period alone, including two in the first two minutes.

The Hawks would get their best scoring opportunity of the game in the 58th minute as Williams made a point-blank save on Jen Pfeiffer. The rebound bounced across the goal mouth to Lauren Sawyer, whose one-timed shot went just over the crossbar for a goal kick.

Penn (3-1-1) managed just two shots on goal, both from long range. In the 85th minute, Erin Beck sent a blast towards the goal that Neal gobbled up to preserve the tied scoreline.

SJU maintained offensive pressure throughout the first overtime, earning a free kick in the final minute of the frame, but were not able to put a shot on goal.

The Quakers turned the tables in the final minutes of the second overtime, earning a corner kick with less than 90 seconds remaining. The ball came out to Penn midfielder Jess Rothenheber for a wide open attempt from 25 yards out, but her shot sailed well to the right and time ran out before either squad could muster another offensive surge.

Head coach Jess Reynolds was impressed with her squad's effort.

"We wanted to get back on track defensively," she said. "We had a great week of practice and it showed against a good team. We just need to do a better job converting on our scoring chances."

The Hawks return to Finnesey Field on Sunday afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. match with the Syracuse Orange.