MERION STATION, Pa. – A pair of second half goals led the 13th-ranked Saint Joseph's field hockey team to a 2-0 win over VCU in the first Atlantic 10 matchup of the season for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• VCU (4-2 overall, 0-1 Atlantic 10) earned the first two penalty corners of the game three minutes in, but both were turned away by the Hawk defense.  SJU also earned a pair of corners in the opening frame but could not convert.

• Neither team managed any extended periods of possession throughout the first half, but the Hawks ultimately held a 5-2 advantage in shots at the end of the second quarter.

• Saint Joseph's (5-2 overall, 1-0 Atlantic 10) turned up the intensity in the second half, suffocating the Rams defensively while finding a rhythm on offense.  The latter paid off on one of four corners in the third quarter; Annabel Lindemulder sent a ball toward the near post that Hailey Bitters slammed home for the game's first goal.

• With time running out in the fourth quarter, Erika Culp picked up a rebound after a corner and fired high past Sheridan Messier to double the lead with just three minutes to play.

HAWK TALK
"I was very happy with the team making some crucial changes that we asked of them at halftime," head coach Hannah Prince said.  "Beyond the tactics, we talked about staying composed and switched on, which was our theme this week.  Starting off A-10 play with a 2-0 shutout is something we should be very proud of.  I look forward to getting back on the field for the matchup with Delaware on Sunday."

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Janelle Ward made one save in the shutout victory while Messier made six.

• The Hawks finished the day with a 12-2 shot advantage, including a 7-0 mark in the second half.  SJU earned 11 corners while conceding three, with just one of those coming over the final 57 minutes of the contest.

UP NEXT
The Hawks host #19 Delaware on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.