Santi and van Tilburg Lead #16 Field Hockey to 5-0 Rout of #8 Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ A second-half deluge led by the Hawks’ attacking penalty corner unit led the 16th-ranked Saint Joseph’s field hockey team to a 5-0 win over #8 Rutgers at the Bauer Track and Field Complex on Sunday afternoon. Freke van Tilburg scored on three corner attempts, while Lily Santi scored a pair of goals and assisted on the other three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Saint Joseph’s (1-1) had the better of the chances in the first half, but just like Saturday’s game, neither team was able to convert any chance. By Robin Bleekemolen made one save over the first two quarters, as did Sophia Howard for Rutgers.

The third quarter could not have been more of a different story, as the Hawks earned three penalty corners and finally cashed in to take the lead. Santi inserted to Katy Bentonwho set up van Tilburg for a blast from the top of the Circle for SJU’s first goal of the campaign with 8:08 to go in the quarter.

Four minutes later, a video referral led to a penalty stroke for the Hawks; Santi converted for her first of the day and a 2-0 Hawk lead.

Santi would double her tally two minutes later Manu Ghigliotti dribbled in and flipped a ball over Howard; Santi was there at the back post to slam it home and polish off a three-goal quarter.

That’s the end of what we can say was a *pretttttty good* quarter.

Enjoy the third goal during the break. #THWND pic.twitter.com/yCT2Ylo3zX

SJUHawks Field Hockey (@SJUHawks_FH) August 28, 2022

Midway through the fourth, the Hawks put the game to bed by converting on both of their corner opportunities. The same trio was involved, as Santi and Benton set the table for van Tilburg to net her second hat trick in a Hawk uniform.

Rutgers (0-2) would earn a late corner, but the Hawk defense turned it away to preserve the shutout.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE

Santi led the Hawks with seven points, while van Tilburg picked up six and Benton three.

Bleekemolen was called on just the one time, posting her 13th career shutout to move into fifth place on the program’s all-time list. Howard made three saves for the Scarlet Knights.

Saint Joseph’s outshot Rutgers, 12-3, while earning eight Corners to just two for the hosts.

The win marks the Hawks’ largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history.

It is also the first win as a head coach for Hannah Prince.

We have a lot of candidates for a game ball today, but the choice is obvious: Congratulations to @hannahprince113 is win number one! #THWND pic.twitter.com/RMznIONeaf

SJUHawks Field Hockey (@SJUHawks_FH) August 28, 2022

HAWK TALK

“I cannot express how proud I am of this group for grinding through a back-to-back weekend after playing double overtime yesterday,” Prince said. “The grit and passion they played with today was evident through 60 minutes. Lily Santi was clutch in her execution today and Freke van Tilburg held down the backfield, but this was a huge team effort. Every member played an impactful role to secure the win, and I’m looking forward to getting back to work with the team on Tuesday.”

UP NEXT

The Hawks will head across town to visit Drexel on Friday. Game time is set for 4:00 pm