PHILADELPHIA, PA. 10/20/2016 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks moved into first place in the Atlantic 10 standings defeating the Saint Louis Billikens 2 – 1 before more than 1,000 people at Sweeney Field. The Hawks came into the game fresh off a win over the Duquesne Dukes that allowed them to occupy the Atlantic 10 top spot with the visiting Billikens both having identical 5 – 0 – 1 records. SJU took a big step forward and now sits in first place alone.
“It’s really exciting, and we are really proud of our girls,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Jess Mannella. “The crowd was amazing and the fellow Hawks came out and supported us.”
The Hawks got started in the 25th minute when midfielder Emily Gingrich let go a high shot from distance that found the back of the net in the upper right corner. It was a goal that gave the Hawks the needed momentum.
“It pretty much changed the game,” Mannella said. “It was such a good goal, too. Dakota (Mills) had some chances. We saw it coming and when it went in, it was an ‘oh my.'”
It was the ninth goal of the season for Gingrich. Midfielder Lindsay Walder gave SJU a 2-goal lead in the 52nd minute putting a shot inside the left post. Dakota Mills was credited with the assist. Saint Louis got within one when Danielle Tolmais scored in the 80th minute. The Hawks held on for the win.
Both teams had 10 shots. Saint Joe’shad a 6 – 1 edge in shots on goal.
Davidson is the next opponent who will visit on Sunday. Saint Joseph’s (13 -1 – 2, 6 – 0 – 1) is in control of their destiny, and Mannella believes her team will continue to play one game at a time.
“We have been pretty confident the whole year,” said Mannella. “We just look at it game for game, and not looking at anything more than that. We didn’t talk about Duquesne until Duquesne. We didn’t talk about Saint Louis until Saint Louis was up. And we are not going to talk about Davidson until tomorrow.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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