Box Score
PHILADELPHIA—Saint Joseph's scored the game's first two goals—one in each half—and held on after a goal by NJIT's Chico Lugo in the last nine minutes for a 2-1 win in non-conference men's soccer Tuesday night at Finnesey Field on the Saint Joe's campus.
Nick Pozzessere assisted on the first goal and scored the second for the Hawks, who pushed their record to 3-2-1. Saint Joe's, which shut out Rider, 2-0, on October 4, has won its last two after losing the preceding two contests.
Colin Baker opened the scoring at 27:21, converting a shot from the top of the box off of a corner kick by Pozzessere.
The senior Pozzessere made it 2-0 for the home team on a header in the 63rd minute. He was assisted by Tom Smart and Giacomo Dilisi. DiLisi sent a throw-in to Smart, who sent a pass in to set up Pozzessere's successful header.
NJIT, which had a narrow 16-15 advantage in overall shots, but a 10-7 edge in shots on goal, finally got on the board at 81:03 when Lugo tallied his first college goal. He was assisted by team scoring leader Erik Magnusson, who now has two goals and four assists for eight points.
Saint Joe's senior goalkeeper Bryan Benedict, who has played every minute in the Hawks goal this season, made nine saves. Senior Ryan Sutherland, who made his third start of the season for the Highlanders, finished with four saves.
“It was an example of how our season has gone,” said NJIT coach Pedro Lopes, who has repeatedly seen his team play even or better than its foe for long stretches and sometimes whole games, only to come away frustrated by the result.
“We had chance, after chance, after chance and couldn't score. On the other end, we played well but we left our man open for a good shot two times and (Saint Joseph's) scored each time. This game was definitely one to put in the 'should have won' column.”
Lopes singled out junior Gustav Warfving for praise. “Gustav played a great game,” said the coach. “He worked hard all night and put three good shots on goal, but the keeper made some nice saves.”
After Lugo had pulled the Highlanders to within a goal of the lead, they continued to challenge the Hawks and came excruciatingly close when Tom Dores set up Magnusson, who headed the ball inches wide of the post in the final three minutes.
Next up for the Highlanders is their first home Atlantic Soccer Conference match, when they host new conference member Houston Baptist on Sunday at 1 pm on Lubetkin Field.
