BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. - (Oct. 27, 2013) On a chilly Sunday afternoon the Saint Francis men's soccer team claimed its third Northeast Conference victory of the season over the Sacred Heart Pioneers, 2-1.

Pablo Medina (Monterrey, Mexico/IMG Academies) got the Red Flash (10-3-3; 3-1-1) off on the right foot in the 17th minute of the first period, scoring his second goal of the season. After keeping possession, the Red Flash found Shaun Russell (Chesapeake, Va./Norfolk Collegiate) on the left who crossed the ball in deep to the back post finding the waiting Nick Kolarac (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny). Kolarac cleverly found Medina who was waiting on the edge of the box before expertly lobbing the Pioneers (3-10; 0-4) keeper. Saint Francis continued to apply pressure and doubled the lead when Ryan Byers (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) connected on a set piece from freshman Matt Loughnane (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Trafford).  Byers' header turned out to be the eventual game-winner.

"I thought the first 30 minutes we were fantastic," said Head Coach Michael Casper. "It was some of the best soccer we've seen all year from our group." "We scored two very good goals and gave ourselves a really good position from the 30 minute mark on." "I don't know if we let off the gas pedal a little bit or they raised their game up, but I didn't think we were nearly as sharp in the second half. "They really stepped up their pressure and there was some physicality to the game." "Our boys have to learn how to handle that as well as make sure we don't go away from what we do."

Sacred Heart's lone goal came in the 31st minute as the Red Flash fell asleep off a goal kick. Mahmoud Kafel capitalized to score his sixth goal on the season, cutting the Saint Francis lead to 2-1.

The Flash defense stood strong after giving up a less than deserved goal, limiting the Pioneers to a pair of shots in the second half. Neither team could score in the second half and struggled to maintain possession of the ball.

The Red and White out shot the Pioneers 10-to-6, while dominating in corner kicks 5-to-1. Five yellow cards were shown during the heated match, three to SFU and two to SHU.

Kolarac led the team with three shots, while Medina and Byers had two each.

Senior keeper Daniel Valcicak (Herndon, Va./Gonzaga College) improved to 7-3-3 on the season, recording four saves in the contest. 

"We've got two weeks left and we are only guaranteed two games," said Coach Casper. "For us it's about preparation for Central this week." "That's really what we are going to focus on and try to make sure we can get a little bit better each day and give ourselves a chance to beat a very good team."

This upcoming Friday at 7 p.m. the Red Flash travel to face the current NEC leader, Central Connecticut State Blue Devils.