The Hawks suffered their first setback of the fall as the Pioneers took three of a possible four points in the non-league series, dropping Xaverian to 5-1-2.

After going to the break at 0-0, the third scoreless half between the teams this year, the squad erupted for the five goals in the second. Paul Dupre set up both Xaverian scores, feeding Danny Smith in the 44th minute for a 1-0 lead.

But St. John’s responded quickly to tie, then struck in the 57th and 67th minutes to take control. Ben Weidenaar  finished a Dupre free kick in a 70th to slice the Pioneer edge but the Hawks could not net the equalizer.

“They are always a quality opponent and that’s our philosophy scheduling,” said Xaverian Gary Bowers. “It was a good possession game on both sides.”