Sept. 29, 2006

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team lost a heartbreaker in double overtime Friday night as they fell to the Richmond Spiders, 1-0. Junior Sam Pugsley notched the game's only score just over three minutes into the second extra session. The match was the Atlantic 10 opener for both squads.

Early in the second overtime, Saint Joseph's was whistled for a foul near midfield. On the restart, the ball bounced to Pugsley, who launched a blast from 40 yards out. The shot sailed into the top right corner of the net, giving the Spiders the golden-goal victory.

The teams played a wide-open style throughout the match, combining for 40 shots. Goalkeeper Bryan Benedict made nine saves for the Hawks (1-7-1, 0-1-0 Atlantic 10), while Eric Sciocchetti stopped five shots for Richmond (4-5-2, 1-0-0 A-10). Both teams had ample opportunities to put the ball in the net, but were not able to convert during regulation.

The Hawks had their best chance late in the second half as a crossing pass found its way through the box and onto the foot of freshman Jason Lewis. Unfortunately for SJU, Lewis was not able to get a solid shot off, and Sciocchetti made the save. Richmond then took control of the game offensively in an attempt to win in regulation, but Benedict and the Hawk defense, led by senior Sean McLaughlin, held off the attack to force overtime.

Saint Joseph's returns to action on Sunday afternoon, October 1, as the Hawks host the Charlotte 49ers in Atlantic 10 action at Finnesey Field. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m.