Oct. 17, 2012
PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's split its pair of games on the road last weekend, falling to Massachusetts on Friday by a final score of 2-0 before coming out on top with an overtime win over Rhode Island, 3-2, on Sunday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Hawks and handed them their first Atlantic 10 win of the season.
This weekend marks the squad's final homestand as the Hawks will host conference opponents #23 Saint Louis on Friday, October 19 and Butler on Sunday, October 21.
Saint Joseph's is 0-6-0 all-time against #23 Saint Louis, having last been defeated by the Billikens by a score of 3-0 in 2010. In the match, Saint Louis scored three goals in the first 17 minutes but was then shut out by a dominant Hawks defense for the remainder of the game. The Billikens are 9-3-0 overall and 3-1-0 in the A-10 this season having defeated Richmond, VCU, and Dayton in their previous three outings and dropping their conference opener to Xavier.
Sunday will mark the first time that the Hawks and Bulldogs will meet as Butler comes to Philadelphia this weekend in its inaugural A-10 season. Butler is 3-6-4 overall and 1-3-0 in the A-10 with a match against Temple scheduled for Friday.
Saint Joseph's will stay local for the first half of next weekend, traveling to La Salle on Friday, October 26 before heading to Fordham on Sunday, October 28.
Conference Conquests: The Hawks rank in the top half of the A-10 in seven categories. Saint Joseph's ranks third in total saves (23), ties for fifth in total goals (six) and assists (six), ranks sixth in total shots (55), ties for sixth in total points (18) and seventh for total corners (15), and ranks eighth in assists per game (1.50).
Additionally, four Hawks have broken into the individual conference rankings. Freshman midfielder Tim Lazorko is tied for third in total points (seven) and fourth in total assists (three), and ranks sixth in assists per game (.75) and seventh in points per game (1.75). A duo of forwards in sophomore Alex Critzos and freshman Emmanuel Temeh also rank in the A-10 as Critzos ties for 10th in total points (six) and Temeh ties for third in game-winning goals (one). Lazorko, Critzos, and Temeh all tie for seventh in total goals (two) and ninth in goals per game (.50). Senior goalkeeper Andrew D'Ottavi ranks second in the entire conference in total saves (21).
Deserving D'Ottavi: Just one week after passing Eric Bowman (1990-91) for sole possession of sixth place on the all-time career saves list at Saint Joseph's, D'Ottavi reached yet another milestone in Hawks history. The senior captain made three saves against Massachusetts and eight saves against Rhode Island to total 257 career saves. With his final save against the Rams at the 86:38 mark to force the game into overtime, D'Ottavi passed Brian Benedict (2005-10) to grab the fifth spot in all-time career saves at Saint Joseph's with 257.
Prime Progress: As of October 14, Saint Joseph's improved on a national level in seven team categories and three individual categories. As a whole, the Hawks climbed the rankings in total assists (+19), saves per game (+18), save percentage (+10), won-lost-tied percentage (+ seven), total points (+ seven), total goals (+ five), and scoring offense (+ one). Individually, D'Ottavi improved to 27th in total saves and 48th in saves per game while Lazorko broke into the NCAA's top 100 ranked 88th in total assists.
Tim's Triumphs: Lazorko scored an equalizing goal in the 59th minute of Sunday's game to even the score against Rhode Island at two apiece. After receiving a pass from sophomore Mike Glazer at the center of the field, Lazorko netted the ball into the right side of the Rams' goal for his fourth goal of the season. The freshman standout also assisted, along with Critzos, on Temeh's overtime goal to lift Saint Joseph's over Rhode Island. Lazorko has been on fire as of late, tying a team-high of four goals while leading the team with four assists and 12 points.
Timely Temeh: Temeh was named both the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week and Philadelphia Soccer Six Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week for the week of October 8-14 after recording his first two collegiate goals against Rhode Island. The freshman had quite a game for Saint Joseph's as his second goal, an overtime game-winner, lifted the Hawks over the Rams, 3-2. Temeh did not waste any time making an impact as his first goal, netted at the 33:40 mark of the first half, came just 1:27 after subbing into the game. The unassisted goal tied the score, 1-1. At the end of regulation, Saint Joseph's entered into overtime tied 2-2. Once more, Temeh took advantage of an offensive opportunity. Just 1:38 into overtime, the freshman scored his second goal of the game and his career on a shot from inside the box (assists by Lazorko and Critzos) to give the Hawks the win at the 91:38 mark. Temeh has played in 12 games for Saint Joseph's in his freshman campaign and ranks fifth on the team in total points with four.
