PHILADELPHIA, PA. 9/21/2014 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks women’s soccer team was riding a five game winning streak where they had not given up a goal. Both streaks were ended in a 1 – 0 loss to the Columbia Lions on Sweeney Field. The Columbia goal came in the 24th minute as Alexa Yow put home a crossing pass from Grace Taylor low to the right side. The Lions were also on a four game unbeaten streak, so the first goal was going to be a major factor in the contest.
“We knew that whoever got that first goal, the other team was going to be able to hold it,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Jess Mannella.
The Hawks got 6 shots in the game, 3 on goal. Sophomore midfielder Emily Gingrich had 5 of the shots and put 2 on goal. Columbia goal keeper Grace Redmond made 3 saves while Hawks net minder Alison Ebling did not record a save.
Saint Joseph’s had quality chances, but could not put the ball in the net. In the 47th minute the Hawks had two opportunities. Gingrich put a free kick just over the crossbar. Seconds later senior midfielder Jill Root had a cross punched away by Redmond. With 21:30 to play Hawk sophomore midfielder Elizabeth Judd beat the Lions defense and goal keeper to the ball. As she moved toward the goal the defense recovered and steered the ball away. Five minutes later Columbia forward Sarah Forthal took a shot that resulted in a corner kick. The kick got to the goal line, but in the scramble the ball was cleared away. SJU had one last chance with a minute to play, but the free kick headed to the low left corner was saved. In the end the only shot that mattered was the one by Yow that found the back of the net.
“We didn’t finish our chances,” Mannella said. “There were times that we did dominate a little bit. To be fair they had one really good chance and put it away, and we had one really good chance and did not put away. That changes games.”
The Hawks are 6 – 4 overall and will go on a three game road trip that is the start of conference play. The non-conference schedule is over, now it counts.
“We’re excited,” Mannella said. “It’s time to start. We feel like we are prepared for the conference. We’ve played a lot of games out of conference, now we will be ready once we are there.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Twitter: @Phillycolsports
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