PHILADELPHIA, PA – While starting off with a commanding lead in the first half, the Explorers (4-4-1) would eventually be overtaken by the St. Joseph’s Hawks (1-6-1) in a frustrating 3-2 loss.  La Salle was up 2-0 with just 12 minutes left in the first period, but St. Joe’s would cut that lead in half just eight minutes after the Explorers’ second goal.  Two more goals in the middle of the second half would tie the game and then allow the Hawks to clench their first win this year.

After almost 30 minutes of scoreless play, rookie standout Taylor Young (Millersville, PA/Severna Park) would intercept the ball after a St. Joe’s foul up and send it to the back of the net to put La Salle up 1-0.  Just three minutes later, senior defender Jeff Spiker (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) would place a beautiful header past the Hawk goalie to increase the lead by two points.

Despite a 2-0 score going to the half, the Hawks battled their way down the field and scored with 4 minutes left before halftime.  La Salle would maintain a 2-1 for most of the second half, but with 20 minutes left in the game, St, Joe’s would sail a corner kick to midfield, where Hawk Travis Gast would slide the ball past goalkeeper Dan Pfieffer (Warminster, PA/William Tennant) to tie the game.  It would not be a draw for long, however, as St. Joe’s would execute an indirect kick on the Explorers, and manage to score once more to take the lead in the 67^th minute. 

Even though there were still 20 minutes remaining on the clock, a combination of penalties and rough play on the Astroturf would allow St. Joe’s to keep the Explorers out of the net for the rest of the night, ending with a score of 3-2.

Despite the disheartening loss, Coach Pat Farrell has high hopes for his team as they head into an A-10 packed schedule in the upcoming weeks.  “We’ve been playing well and have done a lot of good things.  But there are always areas to improve on, and things that need to be done to mature.  Games like this let us learn how to overcome no matter what happens.”

Stay with Men’s soccer at the end of this week, as they host the returning A-10 Champions Rhode Island on Friday night at 7pm, and Massachusetts this Sunday at 1pm, both at McCarthy Stadium.