Sept. 26, 2010
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - Erin Brennan notched the first two-goal game of her career, which included the game winner, and Gabby Pakhtigian stopped seven shots to register her 10th career win between the pipes and La Salle Women's Soccer won its fourth straight game over the Saint Joseph's Hawks Sunday afternoon at Finnesey Field, 4-1, in non-conference action.
For Brennan, she has now scored seven goals in the Blue and Gold, four of which have been game-winning tallies, two last year and, today, she gets her second of this season. She also added an assist on the fourth goal, giving her La Salle's second five-point game of the season (Leigh Gray, 8/22).
The junior opened the day's scoring in the 14th minute as she sent home a rebound off a Kierstyn Mabey shot, her team-leading fourth assist of the season. Brennan would add her second in the 48th minute, as she headed in a cross from the left side from Renee Washington.
Saint Joseph's (3-8) cut its deficit to one when Jen Pfeiffer scored her eighth of the season, which is tied for the Atlantic 10 Conference lead, off a rebounded shot by Mo Hawkins.
Dani Allizzo scored her second of the season off of a Courtney Niemiec assist, her third of the year, with 17 minutes left in the game. Washington scored her seventh of the year with under six minutes left to provide the final score, off a double assist from Amanda Komarnicki and Brennan.
"It was really a great result against our rival, they're always a very well coached side and they surprised us a bit by coming out and low pressing us," said Head Coach Paul Royal. "For the last two days, we knew it was going to be a very emotional game for both sides. We emphasized that our girls needed to gain good possession early on as well as challenging some of our upperclassmen to step up.
"And they definitely did that. Our staff was very pleased to see an outstanding performance from junior Erin Brennan as well as receiving great contributions from Morgan, Dani, Amanda, Kelly, Jess and Kierstyn. They all gave us a great spark that led to a tough win."
Pakhtigian made five saves in the first half to keep the Hawks off the board and preserve a 1-0 lead at the break. In all, her seven stops was one shy of her season high and with the victory, she now has 10 career wins at La Salle, which is seventh all-time.
"It was also great to see our loyal alum support from last year's senior class (Barker, Cittadino, Copare, McGuigan, Philips and of course coach Ally Kenney), who were all in attendance.
"For us to make a real fight for an A-10 Championship berth this season we're going to need the same exceptional play from various players each week. It's also great for our girls to have this type of momentum heading into our A-10 season opener against Xavier this Friday."
La Salle (6-4-1) will begin A-10 Conference play this upcoming weekend. The Explorers will travel to western Ohio to face Xavier, Friday at 7 PM, and Dayton, Sunday at 1 PM.
