Sept. 9, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, Del.--The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team used sophomore Giacomo DiLisi's golden goal to complete the comeback win over Delaware, 3-2 at UD Mini-Stadium on Tuesday night. Bryan Benedict led the Hawks with eight saves in the victory while sophomore Colin Baker and newcomer Sean Canavan notched goals for SJU.

After withstanding constant pressure by the Fighting Blue Hens all night, Saint Joseph's (1-0-1) capitalized on their precious few opportunities, especially in the second half and overtime. Jason Lewis sent a long ball into the goal area onto the head of DiLisi who batted the ball home for the victory just 4:51 into overtime. It was DiLisi's first collegiate goal

Saint Joseph's received a serious boost when super-sub Canavan converted a rebound off Delaware goalie Conrad Rusnak (three saves)--who saved a shot by Baker--for Canavan's first collegiate goal to knot things up at two apiece in the 74th minute. The goal came just 44 seconds after Canavan re-entered the game for DiLisi.

Delaware (0-3-1) created several opportunities in the first half, but Benedict's play kept the Hens off the scoreboard for the first 40 minutes. After stopping the first five shots, Danaher snuck one past Benedict from point blank range to put the Hens on top, 1-0.

The Hawks wasted little time in responding early in the second half when DiLisi served a cross to Baker into the penalty area where Baker put the ball away for his first tally of the season in the 52nd minute. Baker led SJU with five shots.

The Blue Hens found their second go-ahead goal from the foot of Darren Christie off a pass from Paul Danaher in the 60th minute from 10 yards away to put UD up, 2-1.

UD supplied most of the pressure, out-shooting the Hawks 17-9 overall, 10-2 in the first half. The more dominant stat could be found in corner kicks where the Hens held a 14-1 advantage.

The 1-0-1 start is the best start for Saint Joseph's since 2002 when the Hawks began the season 2-0 with victories over Binghamton and Villanova, and would go on to win eight games that season.

SJU will have their home opener on the new Finnesey Field Friday night where the Hawks will take on the Midshipmen of Navy at 7:30 p.m. following the SJU women's soccer match against Lehigh at 5:00 p.m.