BOX SCORE

LORETTO, Pa. (Nov. 4, 2011) – For the second consecutive season, the Saint Francis University women's soccer team is headed to the Northeast Conference Championship match.  While the match will go into the record books as a 0-0 double-overtime draw, junior goalkeeper Brianna Butcher (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) came up big in penalty kicks to propel SFU back to the title game.

After both teams went 3-for-5 in their first four attempts, junior Katy LaBella (Warwick, R.I./Toll Gate) stepped to the line and slipped one past Sacred Heart goalie Sydney Judkins to give Saint Francis the 4-3 edge. Butcher then made her biggest save of the season, knocking down what would be the final PK of the day from SHU junior Elizabeth Stewart.

“After the nerves came out we were able to play more of our style of game,” said two-time NEC Coach of the Year Brenda van Stralen.  “Great players step up when they need to, and Bri did that today once we got the game to penalty kicks.”

Scoring for Saint Francis in the shootout were Jennifer Brennan (Northport, N.Y./Northport), Ellie Gavin (Hilliard, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) and Aryn Askin (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland).

Both teams posted similar stats during the first ninety minutes of play with Sacred Heart narrowly outshooting Saint Francis 10-to-9. Second team all-conference member Boulter led the Flash with three shots, two of which were on goal.  Both Ashley Moore and Kristin Verrette notched three shots apiece for the Pioneers. The Red Flash held the edge on corner kicks 7-to-4, while Judkins posted four saves to Butcher's two.

Saint Francis takes on #2 Long Island – a 2-1 2OT winner over Monmouth in Friday's second game – in Sunday's NEC Championship at DeGol Field.  Kick-off is slated for noon.