Sept. 22, 2012
Box Score
Ithaca, N.Y. - Junior Pat McGlynn and sophomore Jake Nelson scored one goal apiece, but a late goal by the Big Red handed the Hawks a 3-2 loss to #24 Cornell on Saturday evening at Berman Field. Senior goalkeeper Andrew D'Ottavi made a season-high nine saves in the loss.
Just over six minutes into regulation, Saint Joseph's (2-5-0) found itself on the offensive end of the game's first corner kick. Nelson launched the ball into a mesh of Saint Joseph's offense and Cornell defense. The ball bounced around in the box before McGlynn gained possession and fired a shot past Cornell's Rick Pflasterer to give the Hawks an early 1-0 advantage at 6:06. The goal marks McGlynn's second of the season and fourth of his career.
The Hawks defense would prove to be flawless in the first half as the defensive line blocked three shot attempts on goal and D'Ottavi was a perfect 2-for-2 in saves.
"We played a very strong first half, creating some chances and containing Cornell's powerful offense," said head coach Don D'Ambra. "Pat [McGlynn] did a nice job of putting himself in a good area and finishing his opportunity."
Cornell (7-0-0) did not waste any time getting on the board in the second half as Daniel Haber scored a pair of goals in the first four minutes of the second period, at the 46:46 and 48:30 minute marks, to put the Big Red ahead, 2-1.
Haber got the goal that tied the game off of a feed from Ben Williams. Haber found his way past the defensive line and beat D'Ottavi low and to the left. Two minutes later, Williams took a shot from above the penalty box that was blocked by a Hawk hand, resulting in a penalty kick. Haber netted his shot in the right upper 90.
D'Ottavi would stay strong in the net for the remainder of the half after the pair of goals, making three saves to keep the Hawks to within one goal.
Saint Joseph's continued to chip away and Nelson came through with a game-tying goal in the 71st minute. Sophomore forward Alex Critzos gained possession of the ball at the right side of the penalty box and crossed it in midair to Nelson on the left side of the field. Nelson took one touch and rocketed the ball past a diving Pflasterer to tie the score, 2-2, at 71:38. The goal marks Nelson's first of the season and fourth of his career.
Three minutes later, Cornell's Haber would find Conor Goepel on a free kick. Goepel headed the ball low past D'Ottavi to put the Big Red back on top, 3-2.
The Hawks would not force another shot, and the game would end in favor of the Big Red, 3-2.
Saint Joseph's faired well with Cornell in the first half, firing off seven shots compared to Cornell's 12, but the Big Red took it away in the second half, outshooting the Hawks 18-4 (30-11 overall) and holding the advantage in corner kicks 13-2 overall. Cornell put immense pressure on the Hawk defense, ending the game with 12 shots on goal compared to the Saint Joseph's three.
"At the start of the second half, Cornell jumped all over us and we could not adjust quickly enough to sustain their pressure," added D'Ambra. "We competed very well with a quality team and gave ourselves an opportunity to win, which was encouraging. We made some costly mistakes that we have to avoid when moving forward."
The Hawks will stay on the road to compete against Bucknell on Tuesday, September 25. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa.
