#1 Massachusetts Falls To #2 Saint Joseph’s, 2-1, In A-10 Finals

PHILADELPHIA, PA. -- No. 1 seeded Massachusetts (15-5, 7-0 A-10) fell to the No. 2 Saint Joseph's (17-3, 6-1), 2-1, in the Atlantic 10 Championship Finals on Saturday afternoon at Ellen Ryan Field.

The Minutewomen held the Hawks to just four shots, while holding a 9-5 advantage in penalty corners. Four different Minutewomen recorded two shots on the afternoon, however Massachusetts came up just short on finding a late equalizer.

Sophomore Neva Eisenga put Massachusetts on the board with her game-tying goal, marking her fourth of the season. Graduate student Elena Clococeanu tallied her fifth assist on the year on the Minutewomen's lone goal.

Saint Joseph's was led by back the tournaments Most Outstanding player Julia Duffhuis who recorded a goal and an assist on the afternoon.

Breaking Down The Action

The Minutewomen recorded the games first penalty corner as Claire Danahy saw her shot blocked with 12:22 remaining in the first quarter.
Saint Joseph's scored the games first goal with 10:19 left in the quarter, as Julia Duffhuis converted a penalty corner score after an unsuccessful UMass review.
The Minutewomen held a 5-2 advantage in total shots, but ended the first 15 minutes of play trailing 1-0.
Massachusetts held Saint Joseph's without a shot in the second quarter but could not capitalize with a goal of their own, heading into halftime still down 1-0.
Neva Eisenga netted the equalizer, sending the shot five-hole to convert a UMass penalty corner and make it 1-1 with 9:10 on the clock in the third quarter.
Saint Joseph's claimed a 2-1 advantage just 3:32 into the fourth quarter as Sol Borenstzein tipped in a penalty corner goal.
Massachusetts pulled its goalie with 5:04 remaining in regulation.
The Minutewomen drew two penalty corners in the final five minutes but could not find another equalizer, falling 2-1 in the A-10 Championship Final.

Notable Numbers

1: Massachusetts advanced as no. 1 overall seed in the 2024 A-10 Championship Tournament.
3: Massachusetts advanced to the A-10 Championship for the third consecutive season, playing Saint Joseph's all three years.
4: Eisenga scored her fourth goal of the season and first career tally in a conference championship.
7: Seven Minutewomen were selected to the A-10 All-Tournament Team.
9: Massachusetts drew nine penalty corner compared to just five for Saint Joseph's
10: The Minutewomen held a 10-4 advantage in total shots.
27: The Minutewomen advanced to their 27th A-10 Championship Final.

A-10 History

Massachusetts now holds a 43-18 (.716) overall record in the A-10 Tournament, advancing to the Championship match in three consecutive seasons.
The Minutewomen own a 16-11 (.640) mark in Championship Final matchups all-time, falling 2-1 to Saint Joseph's in the 2023 A-10 Championship Final.
UMass hold a 9-4 record over Saint Joseph's in the A-10 Tournament, winning nine consecutive matchups from 1992 to 2015.

Series History

With the result, Massachusetts now holds a 34-14 advantage all-time against the Hawks.

Up Next

Massachusetts will await the NCAA Selection show which will take place Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10 p.m. Further updates can be found on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.

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