SJU Athletics Photos

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (09/07/03) – Rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit, the Saint Joseph's University men's soccer team (3-1) netted a pair of goals in the first eight minutes of the second half to defeat Detroit Mercy (0-2) in the second round of the Hawk Soccer Classic on Finnesey Field. Senior Adam Duffy drilled the game winner into the back of the net off a direct kick in the 53rd minute. UD dominated play in the opening half, outshooting SJU 16-2. The Titans, however could muster only one goal, as Hawk netminder senior Kevin Dougher (Blue Bell, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) posted nine saves in the first frame. Senior George Kithas notched the only goal for UD. Kithas rocketed a shot that ricocheted off the cross bar and then rebounded the back to him. He made no mistake with his second attempt, drilling the ball into the net at the 25:38 mark for a 1-0 lead. Trailing at the break, SJU increased the pace early in the second half and evened the contest in the 50th minute. Freshman Dean Niedosik dished a pass to senior Pat Mondile, who then passed it back to him off a deflection by the Detroit goalkeeper. Niedosik then tapped the ball into the open net, knotting the game at 1-1. Duffy then delivered less than three minutes later to put St. Joe's on top. Detroit held a 22-6 edge on shots and an 8-1 advantage on corner kick opportunities. Dougher finished with 12 saves, while UD's freshman Ryan Mendonca made three stops before giving way to senior Jason Hamilton in the second half. SJU earned the Hawk Classic's co-championship with Philadelphia University after both teams posted 2-0 records at the event. Members of the All-Tournament team were Kithas and junior Ablaye Camara for Detroit; Duffy and fellow seniors Matt Foster-Moore and Matt James for Saint Joseph's; along with Manhattan's Eugene Reynolds and Collin Leaver; and Philadelphia's Scott Nixon, Nolan Dzeilak, Steven Dougan and Franco Ruscetta.