PHILADELPHIA, PA 10/21/2012 – Trailing by a goal the Saint Joseph’s Hawks men’s soccer team showed resolve getting the equalizing goal in the 78th minute. However the Butler Bulldogs Jeff Adkins scored unassisted with 1:19 to play hanging the Hawks their fourth one-goal loss of the season. It was the season ending home game for Saint Joseph’s at Finnesey Field. The Hawks showed heart by Coach Don D’Ambra wants the team to turn the close losses into wins.
“I thought our team played a good match,” said D’Ambra. “We were defensively organized. Butler is a good program playing top teams, and they had a lot of close results like we have.”
“Butler got momentum and the goal would have been hard for any goal keeper to make that save. Giving up a goal like that in the last-minute seems to be our theme where we are losing these heartbreaking games, whether it be overtime or in the last-minute of the match. In the long run these games and experiences are going to be good for our young guys, but it doesn’t make it feel any better at this point.”
“We expect to win these games.”
Butler opened the scoring when midfielder Zach Steinberger put the ball into the upper right corner of the net. The assist went to Adkins. The Hawks showed resilience getting the offense. Freshman midfielder Tim Lazorko finally got a ball past Butler goal keeper Jon Dawson in the 78th minute. Junior defenseman Jim Reilly got the assist on the goal that found the lower left corner. Each team pressed toward the goal trying for the winner. Adkins went high getting the ball under the crossbar.”Our guys were playing with confidence,” D’Ambra said. “We believe we can win being it a top team or an Atlantic 10 match. We rose to the occasion and I am proud of that, but it is at a point where we have to find ways to win the game or not lose the game.”Both team played well on defense making each goal precious. Saint Joseph’s was out shot by Butler 21 – 17. Dawson had 7 saves for the Bulldogs while Hawks goal keeper Andrew D’Ottavi recorded a career-high 9 saves.
“Defensively we were organized, but on offense we needed to be more efficient,” said D’Ambra. “Keeping possession would have helped us.”
The Hawks drop to 5 – 10 overall, 1 – 5 in the Atlantic 10. Butler is 2 – 3 – 1 in their first year of Atlantic 10 play. Prior to the game Saint Joseph’s honored midfielder Tim Brennan, its sole player appearing in his final home game.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Twitter: @Phillycolsports
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