Saint Joseph's Scores in Final Minute to Defeat Drexel, 10-9

Tuesday, March 13

Philadelphia, Pa.

4 p.m.

Drexel University

2-4

Saint Joseph's

2-3

Drexel

Saint Joseph's

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Saint Joseph's Scores in Final Minute to Defeat Drexel, 10-9

3/13/2018 5:49:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Philadelphia – Saint Joseph's Nicholas Vernacchio scored with just 26 seconds to play to give the Hawks a 10-9 win on Tuesday afternoon at Sweeney Field. The loss snapped the Dragons' (2-4) two game win streak. Saint Joseph's moved to 2-4 on the season

The Dragons trailed by two goals midway through the final period, but rallied to tie the game. Matt Varian came in from behind the net to score and make it a 9-8 game with 7:17 to play. About a minute later, Marshal King fed Will Manganiello in traffic and the junior bounced a shot past SJU keeper Mike Adler to even the score. Drexel had its chances to take the lead after the Hawks were whistled for a slash. However, Robert Frazee had a shot that was saved by Adler and the Hawks got possession and killed the penalty off.

The Hawks entered the second half trailing by three goals, but by the end of the third they had the lead. Saint Joseph's scored five straight goals in the third and six of the first seven goals in the second half to take a 9-7 lead. The Hawks scored twice on the man-up and Kyle Cain had three goals in the second half.

Reid Bowering led the Dragons with three goals and an assist. Varian had two assists to go along with his goal. Jimmeh Koita had his best game of the season, winning 14 of his 21 face offs. The sophomore also had a game-high nine ground balls. Bowering had a hand in all three of Drexel goals in the second quarter. He scored on two spectacular behind-the-back shots and assisted on King's score as Drexel went ahead 6-3 at the half.

The Hawks opened the game' scoring with a transition goal just 1:02 into the game. After the Dragons misfired on a shot, Will McNamara raced down field and found defenseman Austin Smith, who rifled home a shot from 10 yards out. Drexel answered with three straight goals to take a 3-1 lead after the first. Cam Harris started the scoring with his first of the season as he found space in the right alley and beat his defender. Five minutes later Nick Fox gave Drexel the lead and Bowering made it a two-goal contest.

Cain had four points to lead Saint Joseph's. McNamara finished with a goal and an assist, while Adler made 11 stops in the cage. Chre Teitelbaum had 12 saves for Drexel. The Dragons narrowly outshot the Hawks (35-34) and the ground balls were even in the game at 25. Drexel struggled on man-up converting on just one of its five opportunities. The Hawks scored two man-up goals in three tries.

The Dragons return home for their next three games. The homestand begins on Saturday, when the 11^th-ranked Hoyas of Georgetown at Vidas Field. Face off is set for 1 p.m.