HAWKS SNEAK PAST LEHIGH IN FIELD HOCKEY, 1-0
PHILADELPHIA (9/12/03) - Saint Joseph's freshman Nicole Antonini tallied her first career goal during a scrum following a penalty corner to lift the Hawks (2-1) to a 1-0 victory over Lehigh (1-4) in field hockey action on Finnesey Field. The victory gave SJU head coach Michelle Finegan a victory in her first matchup with her former team. Finegan was the Mountain Hawks coach for seven seasons before returning to SJU.
The Crimson and Gray controlled play in the first half, but were unable to manufacture many significant scoring opportunities.
Lehigh picked up its pace in the second half and the flow of the contest became more helter-skelter with each team making charges at the other's cage.
The Hawks finally broke through late in the contest, when Antonini tallied with just 8:38 remaining in regulation. SJU had won a penalty corner moments earlier and the freshman made the push off the line. St. Joe's then swung the ball to the right of the goal, before it was knocked on net. Sophomore Katelyn O'Brien managed to redirect the ball toward the far post, where Antonini had slid to fill space. She then slammed the ball into the goal for the gamewinner.
Junior Courtney Huff again played well notching five saves on six shots. Jeanine Hoff played the opening half in net and made three stops, she was replaced at intermission by Meghan Gove, who recorded five saves, before surrendering the Hawk tally.
SJU outshot Lehigh 11-6, including a 5-1 advantage in the opening stanza. SJU also held an 8-6 edge in penalty corners.
SJU plays the third game of a four game homestand on Sunday when Sacred Heart travels to Hawk Hill for a 2:00 PM start.
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