Men’s soccer falls 2-0
The Saint Joseph’s University men’s soccer team took on the Duquesne University Dukes (8-3-4, 3-1-2 A-10) in an important Atlantic 10 match-up on Oct. 22. The Hawks lost by a final score of 2-0, their fourth consecutive loss. The Hawks now stand at 6-9-1 overall and 3-4-0 in the A-10, and are tied for fifth place with La Salle University.
“I thought Duquesne did what they needed to do,” St. Joe’s Head Coach Don D’Ambra said. “It was a scrappy game. It was a physical game. It came down to winning tackles, getting to loose balls. They just did more in that department. I don’t think they outplayed us by any means. They did enough to put us under pressure.”
The game consisted of highly competitive, scoreless play for much of the match. The Hawks took only two shots in the first period, while the Dukes took three.
The Hawks got off their first shot on goal from sophomore midfielder Kyle Lochbihler in the 60th minute, but Duquesne goalkeeper Evan Kozlowski was there to make the stop. Lochbihler started Saturday’s game, the first start of his collegiate career, playing 50 minutes and taking two shots.
“Kyle’s been playing with a lot of heart,” D’Ambra said of Lochbihler starting. “That’s what St. Joe’s is about… He comes in, he creates energy, he makes the runs, he’s creating crosses and shots, so he’s trying really hard and he’s creating through his energy level and just by competing.”
The Dukes broke the tie in the 77th minute when Austin Stout slipped the ball past St. Joe’s junior goalkeeper Greg O’Connell.
The Hawks’ second and final shot on goal came from freshman forward Daryus Lake, the first shot of his collegiate career. About five and a half minutes later, St. Joe’s junior defender Kevin Lockhart nearly headed in a shot, but Duquesne’s defense blocked the ball.
Less than a minute later, Duquesne’s Ryan Landry fired from just inside the box to score the Duke’s second goal of the game.
“I was disappointed by the lack of fight with our guys,” D’Ambra said. “At this point in the season, it’s unacceptable. I think it’s a mentality. I think, right now, we have too many guys worried more about defensive, [so] they’re not willing to take chances on offense.”
Duquesne held the advantage in shots, 13-8, which St. Joe’s took six of the 10 corner kicks in the match.
O’Connell played the full 90 minutes and made three saves. The Hawks also received full game efforts from Lockhart, junior midfielder Matt Crawford, senior midfielder Eric Jordan, and sophomore defender Eddie McCusker.
“I thought Eric Jordan really stood out,” D’Ambra said. “Kevin Lockhart battled. Eddie McCusker battled. Some of our defensive guys really stepped up and competed well.”
Senior forward Ted Foley played 41 minutes off the bench, his second-highest minutes total on the season. Freshman Ramzi Saim played 69 minutes off the bench, first subbing in the sixth minute when senior midfielder Bliss Harris left the game.
“Our backs are against the wall,” D’Ambra said. “We have to win against La Salle. How are they going to respond? If we don’t step up and play really well against La Salle, then we don’t deserve to get to the playoffs. For me, they have shown well enough that we can play and beat anybody. It’s just a matter of going out there and collectively doing it as a unit.”
The Hawks will take on La Salle in a critical A-10 match on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at Sweeney Field. The match will be the last home game of the season, and the team will honor its seniors.
