LORETTO, Pa. (April 20, 2011) – The Saint Francis University lacrosse team cruised to an 11-5 first half lead and held off a spirited second-half comeback effort as the Red Flash downed Detroit, 18-14, at DeGol Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory snapped a four game losing streak for the Flash as they improved to 5-11 on the season in advance of Thursday afternoon's season finale vs. Robert Morris. Opening draw in Loretto is set for 4 p.m.

Just over five minutes into regulation, Saint Francis found itself up 4-0 thanks to goals by Kara Ledgerwood (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua), Catherine Helming (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) and pair by Danielle Conwell (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury). The Titans' Emily Boissonneault broke up the Red Flash scoring streak, but Rachel Larson tallied the answer two minutes later to spark a 7-to-4 surge that carried SFU to its sizable halftime advantage.

Boissenneault opened the second half scoring 39 seconds into the frame, providing the first of three-straight Detroit goals that cut the score to 11-8. The Titans' junior midfield was a one-woman wrecking crew in the contest, almost single-handedly keeping her team in the game with eight goals – five of which came in the second half.

With 19:42 to play, Kate Simmons (Delran, N.J./Delran) scored to give Saint Francis a 13-9 edge, but the Titans reeled off the game's next two scores to cut the margin to two. Detroit, however, could get no closer as the Red Flash outscored their opponent 5-to-3 down the stretch to clinch the win.

Helming led the Flash with five goals, while Conwell chipped in four. Sheri Fort (Sicklerville, N.J./Washington Twp), Ledgerwood, Rachel Larson and Katie Jenkins (Rochester, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) each had two. Fort also set a new Saint Francis single-game record by dishing out five assists.

Detroit outshot Saint Francis 44-to-29 in the contest, but goalie Danielle Pokusa (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson) was up to the task making 17 saves. Pokusa also scooped up four of SFU's 24 ground balls. The Titans collected 13 ground balls in the contest.