Sept. 25, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Junior Nicole Antonini netted a pair of second half goals that served to give Saint Joseph's (5-3) breathing room and the Hawks defeated visiting Rutgers (5-5) on Finnesey Field, 3-1. Senior Katelyn O'Brien also tallied for the Crimson and Gray.

An evenly contested opening half of play saw SJU score the lone first half goal. O'Brien picked up the tally by deflecting a shot from senior Hilary Moody on a penalty corner into the cage with 6:56 to play in the opening stanza.

Antonini gave the Hawks some breathing room when she scored her first goal of the contest 6:26 into the second half. SJU again capitalized on a corner situation, as Antonini collected the rebound of a shot by classmate Maureen Casserly and deposited it in the cage.

Rutgers made things interesting 10 minutes later. RU thought it had netted a goal on a shot in front, but the goal was waved off and a penalty corner was awarded. The Scarlet Knights then earned a penalty stroke on the ensuing corner. Freshman Amy Lewis converted the stroke to make it a 2-1 game with 18:41 left to play.

The Hawks iced the game on Antonini's second goal of the game, and eighth of the year. SJU's Lauren Luft centered a ball from the left side, but a Rutgers defender stopped the ball in front of the cage. She was unable to clear the ball before Antonini swooped in a banged it into the goal for a 3-1 lead. The goal was the 32nd of her career and moved her into third place on SJU's career list.

Rutgers held an 11-6 edge on penalty corners and outshot Saint Joseph's 10-8. The Hawks Rebecca Cunfer had three saves, while RU's Rosalyn Wentko registered a pair of stops in goal.

SJU hosts Columbia on Friday, September 30.

To view photos from today's game go to www.sidephotos.com.