SJU Athletics Photos

PHILADELPHIA (04/04/03) – Saint Joseph's rallied from an 8-1 deficit to score six of the final nine goals but fell short in its upset bid over Richmond, 11-7. The game was billed as a matchup between one of the nation's best offenses against one of the nation's top defenses. This time the offense won out, as the Spiders' fourth ranked-offense was too much for the SJU defense. Richmond, a preseason top 20 team, jumped on the board with five first half goals taking a 5-0 halftime lead. The Hawks (2-6, 0-2 Atlantic 10) found the back of the net first in the second stanza on a senior Kelly Butler goal, but UR (6-4, 2-0) would score the next three to take an 8-1 lead. The Hawks could have easily thrown in the towel, especially in the near arctic temperatures and being down seven goals. But a freshman Kerry O'Connell goal at 16:18 was followed by a great setup from senior Brett Dymarczyk to junior Kristen Teklinsky for a goal, cutting the deficit to 8-3. Teklinsky would score 90 seconds later on a free-position shot and assisted on Dymarczyk's tally two minutes later, bringing the score to 8-5. The Spiders would score the next two goals, giving them a five goal cushion with three minutes to play. Again the Hawks rallied, as goals by freshman Megan Cheverie and Butler brought SJU within three at 10-7. That would be as close as the Crimson and Gray would get, as Richmond tacked on an insurance goal with 44 seconds to go to wrap up the scoring. Teklinsky and Butler led the Hawks with two goals apiece, while UR's Polly Purcell had a hat-trick to pace the Spiders. Sophomore Courtney Huff stopped a season high 11 shots in the cage, while Kelly Johnson made ten stops for Richmond. SJU has little time to prepare for its next opponent, as the Hawks travel to Olean, N.Y. to take on St. Bonaventure on Sunday. Face-off is set for noon.