BOX SCORE PITTSBURGH (August 19, 2011) – Saint Francis University struggled to get its offense going on Friday as the Red Flash fell to Duquesne, 1-0, in season-opening women's soccer action.

The defending Northeast Conference Champions outshot the Dukes 13-to-11 including 6-to-4 in the second half however a Kristin Vinicky-assisted shot by Katie Rust in the 56th minute proved to be the difference maker. Rust's game-winner came out of a scrum in the aftermath of a Duquesne corner.

Junior goalkeeper Brianna Butcher (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) stopped three of the Duke's shots on the evening in a complete game effort. Her Duquesne counterpart, Devon Tabata, stopped all six of the shots she faced.

The Flash offense was paced by sophomore forward Briana Tata (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute), who fired four shots, including three on goal. Tesa McKibben (Cogan Station, Pa./Montoursville) and Aryn Askin (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) also tallied a pair of shots.

Saint Francis will open its home slate on Sunday when it welcomes Marshall for a 2 p.m. match.