Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/2/13
From Press Release
Fueled by a second-half 7-0 run, the St. Joseph’s men’s lacrosse team downed Wagner, 10-4, for its third win of the season on Saturday afternoon at Finnesey Field. With the victory, the Hawks remain undefeated all-time against the Seahawks, improving their program record to a perfect 12-0.
“I’m really proud of the guys for how they stepped up in the second half,” said Saint Joseph’s coach Taylor Wray. “Wagner had a very good game plan, and their goalie was making a ton of saves. We did a little bit of a better job of shooting in the second half and that was when we were able to get some separation.”
Trailing 4-3 early into the third period, the Hawks’ attack took off on a 7-0 run that would stretch for the remainder of the game. Sophomore Michael Dougherty (Malvern Prep) scored three consecutive goals during the run while the Hawks also got two goals from classmate Matthew Sarcona and one apiece from senior Kyle Williams and freshman Pat Swanick (St. Joseph’s Prep).
Saint Joseph’s (3-2) struck first to start the game as Swanick scored his sixth career goal just under two minutes into the first period. Wagner netted a goal of its own to equalize the score at one apiece, but Williams and Swanick hit back-to-back goals with under two minutes remaining in the first period to put the Hawks up 3-1 heading into the second period.
Wagner (0-4) held the Hawks scoreless in the second period as the Seahawks went on a 3-0 run to pull ahead, 4-3, before Saint Joseph’s kept them scoreless for the entire second half.
Swanick and Dougherty recorded three goals each for the Hawks while Sarcona and Williams were good for two apiece. Dougherty and junior midfielder Johnny Simanski registered two assists each.
Junior Will Abbott posted a brilliant performance on the defensive end, picking up six ground balls and going 11-of-17 (.647) from the faceoff. Sophomore Will Farrell (St. Joseph’s Prep) also picked up six ground balls and caused a game-high two turnovers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Dustin Keen (Downingtown West) improves to 3-2 on the year after making nine saves and allowing just four goals in a full 60-minute effort.
The Hawks outshot the Seahawks, 52-19, and held a 29-15 advantage in ground balls while forcing Wagner to turn the ball over 12 times.
Wagner got a season-high 22 saves from Nicholas Gibaldi.
