PHILADELPHIA – Three first-half goals powered the Saint Joseph's men's soccer team past Loyola (Md.), 3-1, on Tuesday evening at Sweeney Field.
 
Saint Joseph's moves to 3-3-2 on the season, while Loyola falls to 1-6-1 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Saint Joseph's wasted no time finding the back of the net, striking in the ninth minute through Luke Johnson. A clever turn from Glen Lala created space to find Tommaso Rossetto down the left side, and the winger delivered a first-time cross to Johnson, who volleyed home into the left side of the net.
• The Hawks doubled the lead only four minutes later. Off a recycled corner kick, Cassidy Tanddo lofted a perfect delivery to the back post, where Kobe Perlaza nodded his attempt neatly past the goalkeeper to up the advantage to 2-0 in the 13^th minute..
• Loyola nearly cut the deficit in the 20^th minute but were denied by the crossbar.
• Matteo Mazzotta added a third before halftime, converting a penalty for his third goal of the season. Rossetto drew the foul after beating his defender, and Mazzotta rifled the spot kick into the top left corner to put the Hawks up 3-0 at the break.
• The visitors grew into the game in the second half. Applying more pressure on the Hawk defense, the Greyhounds pulled one back with a towering header in the 68th minute.
• Despite a 9-0 shot advantage after the break, Loyola couldn't close the gap as the Hawks secured a 3-1 win on Sweeney Field.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Matteo Mazzotta's penalty marked his third goal of the year, all three coming from the penalty spot. The midfielder registered his fifth goal of his career and leads all scorers this season.
• Kobe Perlaza scored his first goal as a Hawk and just the second of his career in his 42 appearances. His only prior goal came in a season-opening draw for Wright State at Xavier on August 24, 2023.
• Luke Johnson netted the opening goal for his second of the season and third of his career.
• Glen Lala added his third goal contribution in the last five games, registering his first assist as a Hawk. Cassidy Tanddo also recorded his first career assist in the win.
• Tommaso Rossetto became the second Hawk to register multiple assists on the season and ranks second on the team with six points.
• Cooper Jennings earned the win in net while saving four attempts to match a season high.
• Saint Joseph's was outshot 13-6 on the evening, all six attempts coming in the opening half. All three attempts on target resulted in goals.
• The Hawks are now 2-0-1 at home after starting unbeaten in the first three games on Sweeney Field.
• St. Joe's has scored seven goals in its three home games this season.

 
UP NEXT

• The Hawks host Duquesne on Saturday, September 27 in return to Atlantic 10 play. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.