SAINT JOSEPH’S MEN’S SOCCER DOUBLE-OVERTIME DRAW AT LA SALLE, 1-1
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Alex Critzos Scores Fifth Goal of Season; Andrew D’Ottavi Makes Season-High 12 Saves
Oct. 26, 2012
PHILADELPHIA - After 110 minutes of fierce play, the Saint Joseph's men's soccer team earned another point in Atlantic 10 standings as the Hawks played to a double-overtime draw, 1-1, against La Salle at McCarthy Stadium on Friday evening. With the tie, Saint Joseph's stands at 5-10-1 overall and 1-5-1 in the A-10.
La Salle (8-5-3, 2-3-1 A-10) held a slight advantage over Saint Joseph's in shots in the opening 25 minutes of the match as the Explorers fired off six shots, two on goal, in contrast to the Hawks' four shots, all wide. SJU would overcome the disadvantage and find a way to strike first as sophomore forward Alex Critzos (Annapolis, Md./Archbishop Spalding) found an offensive opportunity in an empty Explorer net and chipped a shot into the left side, putting the Hawks on the board, 1-0. The goal marked Critzos's fifth of the season and ninth of his career.
The Explorers responded in the 63rd minute as La Salle's Jidell Roach made a steal amid SJU defenders and dished the ball over to Tom Kalpokas. Kalpokas flicked the ball into the net to even out the score, 1-1.
Hawks senior goalkeeper Andrew D’Ottavi (Petersburg, N.J./Ocean City) would make five saves in the remaining 27 minutes of the second half and three crucial saves in the first overtime to preserve the tie for SJU.
For the game, La Salle outshot Saint Joseph's 31-15 (13-5 on goal) and held the advantage in corner kicks, 8-3. Defense was key in the match for SJU as the Hawks defense blocked three shots and D'Ottavi made a season-high 12 saves in the effort.
"Our team fought hard tonight and battled defensively," said head coach Don D’Ambra. "We got taken out of our game at times and La Salle made it difficult for us to establish offensive rhythm. However, the game was an even match and it's good to walk away with a tie on the road."
Saint Joseph's will travel to Fordham to compete in its second to last game of the regular season on Sunday, October 28. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.