PHILADELPHIA – The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team battled George Mason to a 2-2 draw Saturday afternoon on Sweeney Field, sharing a point with the Patriots in its Atlantic 10 opener.
Saint Joseph's moves to 3-0-4 (0-0-1 A-10) on the season and remains unbeaten through its first seven matches. The Hawks have yet to trail this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Saint Joseph's created the first quality chances of the match, with Declan Sullivan forcing a save from George Mason goalkeeper Jack Desroches in the 16th minute. Conor Clair also had an attempt blocked shortly after.
- The Hawks opened the scoring in the 29th minute when a George Mason own goal put Saint Joseph's ahead, 1-0.
- The Patriots responded in the 34th minute, with James Eliuda converting a chance assisted by Jaime Godinho and Matias de Jesus to send the match into halftime tied, 1-1.
- Ross restored the Saint Joseph's lead in the 54th minute, converting a penalty kick after Declan Sullivan drew a foul in the box to put the Hawks ahead, 2-1.
- George Mason leveled the match in the 71st minute when Javier Montava converted a penalty kick after a handball in the box.
- The Patriots applied pressure late, but Alex Smith came up with a key save on David Garcia in the 76th minute to keep the match level. George Mason earned three corner kicks in the final 15 minutes, but the Hawks' defense held firm to secure the draw.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jake Ross scored in back-to-back games after registering his first career goal against Iona earlier this week. Ross became the first Hawk to score multiple goals this season.
- Conor Clair registered three of the Hawks' six shots. George Mason outshot St. Joe's by a 9-6 margin.
- The two teams combined for 39 fouls in the game, SJU whistled 21 times to George Mason's 18.
- Each teams registered six opportunities from corner kicks.
- George Mason's first goal ended a 343-minute stretch without conceding a goal for the Hawks.
- Alex Smith made two saves in the tie to move to 3-0-4 on the season.
- Saint Joseph's improved to 3-4-4 all-time against George Mason.
- The Hawks remain unbeaten through their first seven matches for the first time since 1971. Saint Joseph's has allowed just four goals through seven matches, the second-fewest in program history in that span. Only the 1971 team, which allowed three, has posted a better defensive record.
- Saint Joseph's eight-match unbeaten streak dating back to last season is tied for the second longest in the country and is the Hawks' longest streak since the 2001-2002 seasons.
- The Hawks are now 8-1-3 at home in two seasons under Coach Mulqueen.
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Bucknell. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
