HAWKS CLINCH FIRST EVER A-10 TOURNAMENT BERTH WITH 2-1 WIN OVER URI
PHILADELPHIA (10/31/03) -- Freshman Megan Schutt blasted home the game-winner in the 82nd minute to give Saint Joseph's a 2-1 win over Rhode Island on an unseasonably warm Halloween night on Finnesey Field. The victory, coupled with losses by George Washington and Duquesne, gives SJU its first-ever berth to next week's Atlantic 10 Tournament in Richmond.
The Hawks (8-7-1, 6-4-0) looked sluggish early and fell behind 1-0 on Claire Landon's tally in the 16th minute. URI (7-8-2, 5-4-1) controlled the play in the first half and held a 9-3 advantage in shots. But a fiery halftime speech from head coach Jess Reynolds gave her troops a boost in the second half.
Defender Jen Harris, who has proved to have a flair for the dramatic of late, score the game's equalizer in the 69th minute off a long pass from fellow back, sophomore Jess Daugherty.
After a scramble in the Hawk backfield, Schutt found herself with the ball and just one defender to beat. The rookie forward dribbled for 30-yards before clearing enough room to boot one of her trademark lasers just inside the inside post. The goal sent the Hawk faithful into a frenzy.
Another eight minutes, however, stood between the Hawks and their first postseason appearance. Rhody had several offensive pushes, but couldn't find the back of the net.
Sophomore Nicole DiEnna stopped three shots for the win, while the Rams' Kirsten Marra stopped four shots.
Despite the win, SJU wasn't assured of its future until nearly 10 minutes after the contest. The Dayton-Duquesne game in Pittsburgh, which started at 7 p.m., was delayed several minutes due to injury. Dayton pulled off the 2-1 win and combined with Fordham's 2-1 victory over George Washington earlier in the day, gave the Hawks a ticket to Richmond.
The Crimson and Gray currently reside in fourth place with 18 points along with Xavier. Dayton (24), Richmond (22), and Fordham (20) own the top three spots, with Rhode Island hanging vicariously onto the final playoff spot with 16 points. The Rams can clinch a spot with a win or tie on Sunday versus Temple.
Saint Joseph's could finish as high as third with a win over Massachusetts on Sunday or as low as sixth, depending on the results of Sunday's Atlantic 10 slate. The game will mark senior day as SJU will honor its five seniors ? Lindsey Crandall, Michelle Ford, Christine Lynch, Anna Marini and Lauren Susco.
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