Tennent Grad Pio Helps La Salle to 2-2 Tie Against Nationally Ranked Xavier

In the 56th minute of regulation during Sunday's showdown with No. 23 ranked Xavier, La Salle's Jeff Pio took a corner kick from Jason Plumhoff and found the back of the Musketeers' net, sending the 2-2 game into overtime, according to a report on La Salle University's web site.

The Tennent grad's goal counted as the last score of the night as the match ended with the 2-2 tie between the two teams that faced off in the 2010 Atlantic 10 title game (Xavier defeated the Explorers 2-0).

Xavier (6-2-2, 0-1-1 Atlantic 10) drew first blood with a Luke Spencer goal in the 33rd minute. He teamed up with Will Walker and Matt Walker on passes on the left side of the box before flicking the ball over sophomore keeper Tom McCarthy and into the net.

Sophomore Kevin Pink scored his first career goal at the 52:11 mark to tie the game at one each. Plumhoff recorded the first of his two assists on the day, sailing a corner kick in and finding Pink, who headed the ball home for the score.

The Musketeers answered right back just 38 seconds later. A few quick passes in the box by Will Walker and Andy Kaplan ultimately found Matt Walker, who punched the goal in with a low shot to the left to put the home squad back on top 2-1. La Salle (3-6-2, 1-0-1 Atlantic 10) came back minutes later with Pio's tying goal.

Both teams had several chances in regulation to win, but neither team could capitalize with both defenses holding strong. McCarthy stopped three Musketeer shots in the second overtime to preserve the tie.

The La Salle defense faced 30 shots, 17 of which were on goal, and came up with two team saves in the process. Spencer led the attack with a game-high seven tries, while 10 different Explorers took at least one shot as the Blue and Gold recorded 14 tries.

In addition to McCarthy's 13 stops, Xavier keeper Justin Marshall made four. He was relieved by Ryan Engelmann in the first overtime period, who did not have to make a save.

The Explorers return home next weekend, hosting Rhode Island on Friday at 7 p.m. and Massachusetts on Sunday at 1 p.m.