Analysis: Stagnant offense may be Hawks’ undoing

After 189 offensively-empty minutes spent at Finnesey Field this weekend, the Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer team’s problems have become quite obvious. Overall the Hawks are a solid team, but their undoing is a stagnant offense that doesn’t look ready to withstand the rigors of Atlantic 10 play.

Their system amounts essentially to a 4-3-3 highlighted by one center forward and two wing forwards leading the attack. The offense largely relies on balls played into the central striker and runs made by the wing forwards and overlapping midfielders off that possession. It’s a system borne out of necessity by a lack of space for midfielders to attack the center of the pitch and a lack of quality service from wide players.

But the ability to succeed with this system requires, well, a lot more running. The Hawks are often caught flat-footed and unable to latch onto passes played through. There are a lot of people waiting around for something to happen instead of actively making something happen. When those unexpected opportunities do arise, a St. Joe’s player is usually a step slow to the ball.

Hawks hold Quakers to double-overtime stalemate

O'Malley and Summers were rock solid against Penn. (photo by Matthew De George, '10.)

Despite enjoying the better chances throughout the game, the Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer team was unable to breakthrough against Penn, instead settling for a scoreless draw.

Christine Neal, ’13, notched 2 saves for her third shutout of the year. Her opposite number, Penn keeper Caroline Williams, was equally stellar, with 6 saves of her own.

The Hawks (2-3-2) looked to have more attacking impetus in a slow-starting first half. Lauren Sawyer, ’11, had the first noteworthy attempt of the night, firing high from about 20 yards out.

Most of the flair going forward was provided on the left side of the pitch thanks to Maggie Lupinski, ’11, and Danielle DeBernardo, ’10. DeBernardo volleyed just over the bar on 26 minutes, while four minutes later, Lupinski fed a nice through ball into Sawyer who was just a step offside. DeBernardo had another go at goal on a shot that was deflected several minutes later.

Weekend Round-up, September 8

In lieu of this week’s printed edition (thank you, Labor Day!), here’s a rundown of what we should have been covered in the world of St. Joe’s sports this week:

-The St. Joe’s women’s cross country team acquitted themselves well at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Lid-Lifter Invitational, finishing third in the seven-team field. The University of Maryland took the overall win, followed by West Virginia, who are ranked number 2 in the country but rested their top nine runners for this meet.

Leading the way for the young Hawks’ squad was a group of four veterans who finished three seconds apart. Kathleen Casey, ’12, crossed the line in ninth place (19:08.16), followed closely by Aimee Chegwidden, ’11, (19:08.67) in tenth out of the 62-runner field.

McCarron, Mountaineers topple Hawks

The Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer dropped their second game of the year tonight, falling 2-1 at home against Mount St. Mary’s.

Lupinski's goal was not enough for the Hawks. (Photo by Greg Carroccio, '02)

The win was the first of the year for Mountaineers (1-3-0), who entered the game goalless on the season. But sophomore attacker Mary McCarron made sure the Mount didn’t leave Philadelphia that way, scoring both goals, including an impressive left-footed volley in the 60th minute that would prove to be the game-winner.

“We beat a quality opponent on their field tonight,” said Mountaineers’ head coach Tom Gosselin. “We played with heart, had our back up against it early, but we fought back and put away our opportunities. We were lucky to come out of here with a win.”