PHILADELPHIA – The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team fell in Atlantic 10 opening play on Saturday afternoon, playing shorthanded in a 2-0 defeat to Davidson on Sweeney Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Hawks had the better of the play in the opening 20 minutes, nearly able to find an opener as a free kick from Truls Brændvang evaded defenders and hit the post before the Wildcats were able to clear.
• A comfortable save from Lars Haavie with less than a minute on the clock was the only threat on the Hawks' goal as both sides headed into the break in a scoreless draw.
• A couple of set piece opportunities were able to get the visitors on the board to start the second, a looping header from a free kick found the back of the net in the 49^th minute.
• The game turned in favor of the Wildcats in the 72^nd minute, Tommaso Rossetto shown a straight red card to put the Hawks down to 10 men for the remainder of the game.
• Despite being down a man, the Hawks had a quick spurt of opportunities as both Bart Kooistra and Sean Boyle had headers denied by reflex saves from the Davidson goalkeeper. Following up the second save, Blake Driehuis attempted a left footed volley from outside of the box that clashed into the top left post and bounced out.
• Davidson was able to seal the game in the 86^th minute, taking advantage of the numbers sent forward from the Hawks and countering for a second goal to walk out 2-0 winners.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Both teams attempted 11 shots on the game, Davidson holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on target.
• Driehuis had a team-high three attempts on the afternoon.
• Haavie finished with three saves in the defeat.
• Davidson held a 7-4 advantage in corners on the contest.

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks host city-rivals Temple on Sweeney Field in a 7 p.m. matchup on Tuesday, September 24.