PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Aug. 21, 2009) – Freshman Tesa McKibben (Cogan Station, Pa./Montoursville) notched her first career goal to break a tie and lead the Saint Francis women's soccer team past in-state rival Duquesne in their season opener at Arthur J. Rooney field in Pittsburgh on Friday evening.

The Red Flash, who start the season 1-0, will travel to Philadelphia to play Temple in a non-conference match up on August 28 at 4 p.m.

“I'm very impressed with the way we played today,” said head coach Brenda van Stralen. “Duquesne is a tough team, and we stayed with them. A win is a great way to start the season off.”

Rachel Seibert (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) netted her first goal of the season 30 minutes into the first half to finally put a score on the board. Dukes goalkeeper Gabby Morrin deflected a pass from McKibben, and Seibert grabbed the loose ball and sent it in to put the Red Flash up 1-0.

Duquesne came back and tied it up five minutes into the first half with a goal from Samantha Kaiser.

McKibben put the Flash ahead with 36:55 remaining off of a beautiful pass from Haleigh Dunyon (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson) (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson). The Dukes goalkeeper came out twenty yards to play the ball, but the speedy McKibben quickly past her and tapped the ball into an empty net for her first collegiate goal, giving SFU a 2-1 advantage. Neither team would score again, giving the Red Flash the win to start the season off on the right foot.

McKibben led the way with four shots on goal, with Seibert right behind her with three attempts. Freshman Kellie Vanek (Oakdale, Pa/Bishop Canevin) (Oakdale, Pa./Bishop Canevin) also had a shot in her first appearance with the Red Flash. However, the Dukes outshot the Flash 10-9 with Paige Maroney and Annie Reid each taking two shots.

Saint Francis senior goalkeeper Jessica Boyer (Pittsburgh, Pa/Mount Lebanon) (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) made three saves in the game, while Morrin made five stops for Duquesne.