ITHACA, N.Y. (Oct. 3, 2010) – Saint Francis University got out to a quick 1-0 lead, but eventually succumbed to Cornell 4-1 in non-conference field hockey action at Marsha Dodson Field on Sunday afternoon.

The loss drops the Red Flash to 2-9, while the Big Red improves to 6-3.

Sophomore Kellie Mason (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich) (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich) gave the Flash the lead just 2:13 into regulation on a cross-goal shot from the corner.

Saint Francis managed to maintain the slim advantage until the 15th minute when Cornell tied it up on a Kat DiPastina shot through heavy traffic.

Hannah Balleza took the rebound off a save made by SFU goalkeeper Katelyn Vitali (Churchville, Md./C. Milton Wright) and fired a shot that would give Cornell a lead it would not relinquish.

The home-standing Big Red tallied two more goals in the second half – including a second score off a rebound – to set the final.

Despite being tagged with the loss, Vitali earned her third double-digit save outing of the season with 11 stops. She finished one save shy of the season-high 12 shots turned away in Sept. 5's 3-2 win at Lehigh.

The Red Flash return home where they'll face Monmouth at 1 p.m. on Sunday to open their Northeast Conference season.