Ice hockey and women's soccer notch wins, women's rugby splits weekend pair

Women's rugby wrapped up its fall season by splitting a pair of games in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU), earning them second place.

They lost their opening game 29-5 against York on Nov. 1, but rebounded to take down Bucknell 5-0 on Nov. 2. Lauren Ballardo, '09, scored the lone try against York, while Sarah Wolk, '09, Bucknell to key the victory.

Saint Joseph's ice hockey club had a very strong weekend, notching two dramatic league wins.

Their first victory came in a high-scoring 8-7 affair over Rowan University on Nov. 1. The winning goal was scored by co-captain Chris Kappeler, '09, while the Hawks were short-handed with just 13 seconds remaining in the game. Leading scorer Chris Brennan, '09, scored four times. Also lighting the lamp for St. Joe's were Dan Kargus, '09, Eric Engels, '11, and Connor Loop, '11.

Liam Emberson, '11, stabilized things for the Hawks in net when he entered the game off the bench, earning the win and Player of the Game honors.

There was no shortage of drama the next night either, as St. Joe's pulled out another hard fought win, toppling Seton Hall 4-3 in overtime. Brennan netted the game-winning tally on this night, scoring just three seconds before the final horn. The goal moves Brennan's team-leading tally on the season to 15 goals in just 10 games.

Also scoring against Seton Hall were Kargus, Loop, and Justin Stewart, '11.

The wins on the weekend even the team's record at 5-5 through 10 games of their 27-game schedule. Next up for the Hawks is an encounter at home against cross-town rivals University of Pennsylvania on Nov. 8, a game the Hawks carry considerable momentum into.

"I'm really proud of the way we played, the guys found a way to win," said St. Joe's assistant coach John Hyland. "Games like these build character."

Women's club soccer has also begun their season. They were one of the most popular fall sports in terms of participation, with 64 players trying out for the team, by far the largest number in the club's history. As a result, they are able to field a deep and talented team this fall. Unlike most other club sports, they are completely student run, including the coaching staff comprised of Dave Moffa, '10, and Joe Mirarchi, '10, working with team president, captain, and starting defender Adrienne Mauro, '09.

So far this season, the Hawks are 1-1-2. They opened the season with a scoreless draw at Drexel University and a tough 1-0 loss at home to Loyola University Maryland. They fared much better in their second weekend of play, notching the season's first win 3-1 Nov. 1 against La Salle University and a 1-1 draw against Lehigh University on Nov. 2.

The team has been anchored by its defense thus far this season. In addition to Mauro, Bridget McFadden, '11, has been solid so far in her second year on the team. Goalkeeper Lauren Williams, '12, has also been one of the team's outstanding performers.

The Hawks' offense came to life in a big way in the second weekend of the season to complement the stellar defense. Kate O'Neil, '10, and Rina Skorupski, '12, both netted goals in the winning effort against La Salle, while Mary-Kate McCoog, '10, tallied the Hawks' lone marker against Lehigh.

"Our team is really starting to gel, which has helped us pick up our play and generate some good offense," said Moffa.

Up next for the Hawks is a date with arch-rival Villanova in what promises to be a difficult challenge on Nov. 9, followed by a tilt with Big 5 rival the University of Pennsylvania on Nov. 16. Both of those games will be held on Finnesey Field, including the chance to play under the lights in a 5 p.m. start against Villanova.