A Brace by Jayda Shehadi Gives the Hawks the Win
PHILADELPHIA, PA 9/4/2025 –
A rainy and windy evening that delayed the start of the game. But the weather did not stop the Eagles and the Cowboys at the Linc. And it did not stop the Saint Joseph’s Hawks and the Temple Owls at Sweeney Field. When the rain stopped, the goals went in. St. Joe’s earns a 2 – 1 victory over Temple on two goals by Hawks midfielder Jayda Shehadi, her first two goals of the season.
Although climatic conditions forced some strategic changes for the Hawks, the Owls did as well. The Hawks responded.
“With the weather it was balls slipping through hands, which helped our second goal,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Jess Mannella. “They were very organized defensively and very good at the counter. We tried to hold a second person back because of the weather and how good they are off our corners. We were holding someone back because of the weather and the way they play.”
All three goals came in the game time frame of the 73rd to 77th minute.
Shehadi scored the initial goal of the game at the 72:29 mark on a free kick that found the back of the upper left corner of the net off a header. Juliette Muro assisted on the goal. Less than a minute later the Owls tied the game. Saint Joseph’s was called for a hand ball in the box. Midfielder Valentina Bitterwolf converted the penalty kick for the Cherry and White to even the game at the 73:22 mark. After another free kick was awarded to the Hawks inside the midfield line, Chloe Khelli put the ball on goal which got behind Bynoe. Shehadi got to the loose ball and sent it to the back of the net at 76:18. St. Joe’s has shown resiliency, a character trait that leads to success.
“There’s teams that you know are going to be special teams when a goal against us that tie it up, or like the Towson game, when they are winning, It doesn’t matter. You just keep fighting and trying to get that goal,” Mannella said. “I think that makes it special. Let’s start to identify who we are going into conference.”
St. Joseph’s had a territorial advantage. They kept the pressure on the Temple defense until the Hawks finally got a score. Overall the hosts had a 14 – 4 advantage in shots. Cherry and White goal keeper Tasmin Bynoe made two saves.
“I’ll take two set pieces, that’s good,” said Mannella. ” You need to have patience. You have to keep them moving quickly in order to create more chances.”
Saint Joseph’s (3 – 3) earns the city win, and are on a three-game winning streak. The Hawks place great emphasis on winning a local derby.
“I do think one of the things we wanted to do was make sure we won the city games,” Mannella said. “You know everyone’s going to come to play and fight, but you definitely want to win the city.”
Penn is next on the schedule for St. Joe’s who is 1 – 1 in the city.
Temple (2 – 5) is experiencing the opposite as they in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment