WALLINGFORD, Conn. (Nov. 12, 2011) – The Saint Francis University bowling team made a strong showing in the first day of competition at the first Northeast Conference tournament of the year, going 3-2 on the day and beating a couple of nationally ranked opponents.

"Today was a day when our team found the right energy in a line-up that just got better throughout the day,” head coach Tom Falbo said. “We're pleased with how we bowled and left with a positive attitude toward tomorrow's matches."

The Red Flash (23-8) got off to a slow start in its opening match with New Jersey City, falling to the Gothic Knights 941-820. Saint Francis rebounded though with a trio of consecutive wins in its next three matches. SFU overtook Long Island 853-758 before then taking down two nationally ranked opponents. In its third match of the afternoon, the Flash earned a convincing 978-814 win over third-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson.

SFU took another victory over 16^th-ranked St. Francis (N.Y.) 905-814 but then stumbled in a match that came down to the final frame of action against Sacred Heart, 981-966.
Individual high games for the Flash went to freshmen Christina Leid (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) and Lauren Johnson (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southeast) who rolled a 229 and 215, respectively, in the strong win over FDU.

Sophomore Heidi Baumert (Lincoln, Neb./Pius X) notched the team-high average for the day by competing in all five games and averaging 194.6. Leid followed closely behind with a 190.2 average, bowling in all five of the teams matches. Freshman Lindsay Corner (Drexel Hill, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) sported a 198 average, despite only seeing action in two events.

"Heidi was strong all day, along with Christina,” Falbo said. “Lauren found her stride after game one, and Lindsay added strong games late in the day when the lanes matched up to her game."

Saint Francis returns to the lanes tomorrow to continue its run at the first NEC tournament of the season with traditional matches against Adelphi, Kutztown, Monmouth and Saint Peters.