Aug. 26, 2012

Box Score

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PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's soccer team earned its second-straight win on Sunday, topping visiting Villanova, 2-1, at Finnesey Field. Trailing 1-0, the Hawks got a goal from senior Ali Yozwiak and an own goal off a Wildcat defender to improve to 2-0-1 on the season.

After a scoreless first half, Villanova (1-2-1) opened the scoring in the 50th minute on a long shot from Rhea Barghash. The Wildcats' Stephanie Myers headed a ball from the midfield up to her teammate to start the play. Dribbling just a short distance, Barghash drilled a shot from over 20 yards out that found the left side of the netting to make it 1-0 at 49:41.

Yozwiak would tie the game at 1-1 in the 66th minute on her second goal of the season. Off a corner kick, Yozwiak got a touch pass from the left side from teammate Jill Root and blasted a shot that curled into the upper right corner and passed the Villanova keeper to tie the game at 65:52.

The Hawks would take the lead less than six minutes later, thanks in part to a Villanova mistake. Off a corner kick from the right side, Saint Joseph's headed the ball into the air and towards the right post. With the ball still up for grabs, a Wildcat defender tried to head the ball away, but instead the ball glanced backwards and into the left side of the goal to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead at 71:18.

Villanova would continue attack over the remaining time, but senior goalkeeper Christine Neal and SJU's defense kept the Wildcats off the board.

For the game, the Villanova finished with a 16-6 edge in shots, while the Hawks edged the Wildcats 4-1 in corner kicks.

Individually, Neal made a game-high six saves to improve to 2-0-1 on the year, while junior midfielder Mo Hawkins had a team-best two shots.

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Friday when the Hawks open the road portion of their schedule at Fairfield at 7 p.m.

**Photos from today's game are available at www.sidephotos.com