Sept. 28, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's field hockey team built a two-goal lead early in the second half and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Sunday afternoon at Drexel's Buckley Field. Senior forward Krista Bordogna scored what ended up being the game-winner with just over 19 minutes remaining in the second half.

Saint Joseph's (7-2) dominated play in the first half and finally broke through with 8:16 to go in the stanza. Freshman Theresa Testa sent a pass into the middle of the field for senior forward Marisa Pizzi to slot home her sixth goal of the season and give SJU a 1-0 lead.

The Hawks outshot the Pioneers 10-3 in the first half, but Pizzi's tally would be the only mark on the scoreboard at halftime.

Kellie Walter doubled the Hawk lead with less than 26 minutes to go as an initial SJU shot was saved by SHU keeper Whitney Mills before it bounced up off the crossbar and landed in front of Walter. The junior tucked the ball behind Mills and Saint Joseph's found itself in the driver's seat.

However, Sacred Heart (2-7) was not prepared to concede defeat as just over a minute later Melissa Mazin was awarded a penalty stroke. SJU goalkeeper Kelly Swanick sprawled to her right but could not get there in time and the Hawk advantage was cut in half.

Five minutes after Mazin's tally, Bordogna scored her goal on an assist from sophomore Jen Wrublesky. SHU leading scorer Carisa Eye scored with three and a half left to play, but the Hawk defense held its ground and SJU emerged with the 3-2 victory.

Mills made an astounding 10 saves as the Hawks let loose a 19-shot barrage. Swanick and senior Gabriella Schrier each made one save as the SJU defense held the Pioneers to 12 shots, with only four of those reaching the cage.

The Hawks return to action at Buckley Field on Tuesday afternoon with a 1:00 contest against Bucknell.