PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/15/2017 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks got a strong start in the second half and used that surge to defeat the La Salle Explorers 15 – 6 in a women’s lacrosse conference game at Sweeney Field. The Hawks held a two-goal advantage at halftime, then scored the first eight goals of the stanza to break the game open to earn the win.
“We empahasize working hard and playing together, working as a team.” Saint Joseph’s attack Francesca Donato. Us, working as a whole helps us putting goals in the back of the net and beating teams the way we did today.”
Donato was instrumental in the run as she scored three of the first four goals within seven and a half minutes after the intermission. The sophomore scored a game-high 4 goals on 8 shots, five of which were on net.
“I was trying to take advantage of every opportunity I got,” Donato said. “Sometimes, you won’t get the opportunity, and I took advantage of it today.”
Five other Hawk players scored in the decisive run which ended when Explorer attacker Abby Squires scored at the 10:52 mark.
When a team does not have the ball, they cannot score. Saint Joe’s created a big advantage in the latter half with an 11 – 3 edge in draw controls. Midfielder Julia Pash had a game-high 4 draws. When La Salle did have the ball they ran into the SJU defense anchored goal keeper Amelia Deibler who had 6 saves.
“The defense played strong,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Alex Kahoe. “It stepped up in the second half. We played hard together and Amelia (Deibler) in the cage made some key saves to help us get the ball and get momentum on offensne.”
Midfielder Mallory Grey scored three times and added an assist, and fellow middie Rebecca Lane found the back of the net twice to go along with an assist. Attacker Nora McCallion registered a goal and an assist to give her 50 points on the season, and is third in career points scored at the school.
La Salle had six different players find the back of the net. Leading scorer midfielder Allee Ilgenfrtiz put in a goal and an assist for 54 points this season.
Saint Joseph’s has six of their last seven games. The Hawks improve to 8 – 5 overall this season, and are 4 – 1 in the Atlantic 10. SJU holds fourth place conference and look to keep their momentum over the last three A 10 games.
“The momentum is great for our team especially as we are in A-10 games right now,” Kahoe said. “It helps build confidence, and helps our team come together and keep playing strong.”
The Explorers are 6 – 8 this year, and post a 2 – 4 league record. LSU came into the game tied for the fifth spot, and can drop to the sixth seed and the final playoff spot. La Salle is in playoff contention and hope to build off that.
“We are very much in contention, and this game isn’t make or break,” said La Salle Coach Candace Taglianetti-Bossell.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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