Men’s soccer falls to Saint Joseph’s

By Amanda King
Collegian Staff
September 27, 2006

Despite a strong first half, the men's soccer team fell to the Saint Joseph’s Hawks on Saturday, 3-2.

The first step was made by freshman Taylor Young after 30 minutes of play. He intercepted the ball on a St. Joe’s foul and connected with the back of the net to give La Salle the first goal of the game.

“We try to develop a style of play where we move as a group,” head coach Pat Farrell said on how the men started with the lead.

Shortly after Young’s goal, senior defender Jeff Spiker took his turn. Three minutes after Young scored, Spiker headed the ball into the net to give La Salle a 2-0 lead.

“We try to play with an attractive style, not only one that is attractive to our players, but to those watching the game and also to recruits,” Farrell said.

Right before halftime, St. Joe’s started to make their comeback. They scored their first goal with four minutes left in the opening half.

La Salle held the 2-1 lead for most of the second half, but with 20 minutes left, a corner kick to midfield slid by the goalie to tie it up, 2-2.

“We don’t want to single anyone out when a goal is scored. It is the entire team who needs to keep that from happening,” Farrell said.

St. Joe’s went in for the last point in minute 67 of play to take the lead over La Salle and win the game 3-2. This brought the Explorers to a record of 4-4-1.

“They destroyed the game by launching the ball. We try to play with the ball on the ground while St. Joe’s keeps it between the knees and shoulders,” said Coach Farrell.

The team’s next game will be against A-10 rival Rhode Island under the lights on Friday, Sept. 29 beginning at 7 p.m.

“Friday marks our first A-10 game, and we have to qualify for the tournament. However, we are facing off against some tough competition as Rhode Island was the conference champ last year,” said Coach Farrell. The team will try to step up to the challenge and get its fifth win of the season.

kinga3@lasalle.edu