PHILADELPHIA – The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to five matches with a 2-0 victory over LIU on Saturday afternoon at Sweeney Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- LIU controlled the early momentum, creating three chances in the opening 10 minutes and forcing Saint Joseph's goalkeeper Alex Smith into a save.
- Conor Clair created the Hawks' best chance early in the opening half in the 26th minute, but his effort was turned away by the LIU goalkeeper. Ronan Sullivan collected the rebound, but his follow-up attempt sailed wide.
- Saint Joseph's broke through in the 34th minute after Sebastian Perez-Gasiba drew a foul near the edge of the box. Marko Marić delivered a curling free kick into the box, where Diego Avelar headed home his first collegiate goal to put the Hawks ahead, 1-0.
- Perez-Gasiba nearly doubled the lead early in the second half, but his low effort toward the near post was parried away for a corner kick.
- The Hawks added to their advantage in the 51st minute. Declan Sullivan carried the ball down the left side before finding Perez-Gasiba, who played the ball centrally to Clair. The midfielder took a touch before guiding an effort from outside the box into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.
- Saint Joseph's nearly added a third after Ronan Sullivan forced a turnover in the LIU half. Charlie Undorf delivered a cross to the back post, where Perez-Gasiba's diving header narrowly missed the post.
- The Hawks continued to control play in the second half, with Smith making one final save in the closing 15 minutes to preserve the shutout and secure the 2-0 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Clair and Ronan Sullivan combined for 12 of Saint Joseph's 17 shots.
- Avelar and Clair each recorded their first collegiate goal. All five of the Hawks' goal scorers this season have recorded their first goal of their career.
- Declan Sullivan and Marić each recorded their first collegiate assists. Perez-Gasiba also added an assist.
- Saint Joseph's held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Smith made four saves to record his third shutout of the season.
- Nick Hanushchak made his Saint Joseph's debut in the midfield, playing 47 minutes to become the 11th Hawk to make his debut in the Crimson and Gray this season.
- Saint Joseph's improved to 2-1-0 all-time against LIU.
- The Hawks are unbeaten through their first five matches for the first time since 1993. Saint Joseph's has allowed just two goals through five matches, a mark that ranks second in program history behind the 1971 team, which allowed one.
- Saint Joseph's five-match unbeaten streak is its longest since 2021.
- The Hawks are now 7-1-2 at home in two seasons under Coach Mulqueen.
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's continues its three-game homestand Tuesday, Sept. 15, against Iona. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
