FIELD HOCKEY TEAM DEFEATS LA SALLE TO STAY IN PLAYOFF HUNT
PHILADELPHIA (10/29/02) - The Saint Joseph's University field hockey team crept one game closer to an Atlantic 10 playoff berth with a 3-1 victory over La Salle on Hank DeVincent Field. Hawk senior Kathy Sokalski scored a pair of goals, including the gamewinner midway through the second half, and junior Kristen Teklinsky added insurance late. The win evened SJU's overall record at 8-8 (2-3 A-10), while La Salle dropped to 3-15 (1-4 A-10).
The SJU victory sets up a Senior Day showdown on Saturday against Temple (Noon). A Hawk win sends SJU to the A-10 Tournament for the fourth time in the last five years, while a loss knocks the Crimson and Gray out of the postseason.
On a bitter cold, raw afternoon, Sokalski got the Hawks on the board early by scoring on a penalty corner, just seven minutes into the game. Fellow senior Aly Dankovitch and junior Amie Schmoltze collected the assists.
The game was knotted 1-1 at intermission, but Sokalski netted her second goal of the game with 19:19 left to play. Sokalski knocked in a pass from Teklinsky to make it 2-1.
Teklinsky then added insurance for the Hawks as she converted a penalty stroke in the 69th minute, making the final margin 3-1.
SJU junior goalkeeper Courtney Huff turned aside five shot, including a penalty stroke in the second half to earn the victory. Her counterpary La Salle's Colleen Bolger also had five stops.
SJU held a decided edge, outshooting the Explorers 10-5 and maintining a 13-5 edge in penalty corners.
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