PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's midfielder Glen Lala provided late game heroics on Tuesday evening, scoring in the 88^th minute to help the Hawks record a 2-1 win over Rider on Sweeney Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Glen Lala produced the first two shots on target for the Hawks inside the opening 10 minutes, including a dangerous free kick that forced a save and an ensuing corner.
• The visitors grew into the game, forcing Cooper Jennings into a pair of good saves to keep the game deadlocked at nil-nil.
• St. Joe's broke through in the 31st minute after sustained pressure created back-to-back chances. The Hawks' initial effort was blocked, but a follow-up attempt by Lala struck a Rider hand in the box, resulting in a penalty. Matteo Mazzotta calmly converted from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way for a 1-0 advantage.
• Tommaso Rossetto nearly doubled the score moments later after dribbling into the heart of the defense, curling an effort just high and wide of the frame.
• Rider pulled level less than 10 minutes into the second half. A long ball was held up by a Bronc forward and laid off for Gio Polizzi, who finished low into the corner for the equalizer.
• The Hawks pushed to restore the lead late, with Aldo Hernandez and Diego Avelar both registering shots that were comfortably saved by the Rider shot stopper.
• The breakthrough goal for the Hawks came in the 88th minute. Crisp combination play between Dylan Petke and Luke Johnson freed Johnson on the edge of the box, where he delivered a cross with the outside of his boot. Lala spun his defender and rifled home a left-footed strike, wheeling off to celebrate in front of the raucous Sweeney Field crowd.
• St. Joe's saw out the final minutes to secure its first home victory of the season and extend the unbeaten streak on Sweeney Field to start the year.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Mazzotta tallied his second goal of the season, both coming from the penalty spot.
• Lala's game-winner was the first goal and points of his career for the Hawks.
• Making his first appearance since September 19, 2023, Petke registered an assist for his first point as a Hawk. Johnson also added an assist for his first of the year.
• The goal from Lala is the latest winner in regulation since Alvin Dahn scored with 12 seconds remaining in a 2-1 win over Rhode Island on March 31, 2021.
• St. Joe's held a 14-10 advantage in shots, including an 8-4 edge in shots on goal. Both sides took three corners.
• A combined 42 fouls were called over the 90 minutes, a 22-20 margin held by the visitors.
• Aldo Hernandez played 73 minutes for his first start in the midfield. Charlie Undorf debuted for the Hawks in the first half with an 11-minute cameo.
• Cooper Jennings finished with three saves on the evening.

 
UP NEXT

• The Hawks head on the road for the first Atlantic 10 game of the season, facing Dayton on Saturday, September 13. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.