Sept. 28, 2008

Final Stats

Philadelphia, PA - Senior forward Krista Bordogna scored the eventual game-winning goal with just over 19 minutes remaining in the second half as the Saint Joseph's field hockey team built a two-goal and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Sunday afternoon at Drexel's Buckley Field.

Saint Joseph's dominated play in the first half and finally broke through with 8:16 to go in the stanza. Freshman Theresa Testa sent a pass into the middle of the field for senior forward Marisa Pizzi to slot home her sixth goal of the season and give SJU a 1-0 lead.

Kellie Walter doubled the Hawk lead with less than 26 minutes to go as an initial SJU shot was saved by SHU keeper Whitney Mills (Harrisburg, PA) before it bounced up off the crossbar and landed in front of Walter. The junior tucked the ball behind Mills and Saint Joseph's found itself with a two goal advantage.

Sacred Heart was not prepared to concede defeat as just over a minute later senior Melissa Mazin (Putnam Valley, NY) was awarded a penalty stroke. SJU goalkeeper Kelly Swanick sprawled to her right but could not get there in time and the Hawk advantage was cut in half.

Five minutes after Mazin's tally, Bordogna scored her goal on an assist from sophomore Jen Wrublesky. With three and a half minutes left to play SHU leading scorer Carisa Eye (Nesconset, NY) scored off a beautiful centering pass from Whitney Russo (Waterville, ME) to get the Pioneers within one. However, the Hawk defense held its ground in the final minutes.

Mills made an astounding 10 saves as the Hawks let loose a 19-shot barrage. Swanick and senior Gabriella Schrier each made one save as the SJU defense held the Pioneers to 12 shots, with only four of those reaching the cage.

The Pioneers are back in action Friday when they host Bryant. Game time at Campus Field is set for 4:00 pm.