BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. (Oct. 1, 2014) – The Saint Francis U men's soccer team defeated Marshall University, 1-0, at the DeGol Field Wednesday, improving their record to 6-3-1.
 
Junior Red Flash keeper Andrew Garcia (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Regional), who leads the Northeast Conference with six shutouts, picked up a career high 10 saves including nine in the second half.
 
Red Flash sophomore defender Francis de Vries (Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere) broke the scoreless tie minutes into the second half. In the 49th minute de Vries stepped up and whipped a free kick over the wall, into the top corner, which beat the Thundering Herd's keeper Dominik Reining.
 
"I thought today was a tale of two halves," head coach Michael Casper said. " In the first half I thought we controlled play, kept the ball, and really dictated tempo, but never really got too dangerous.  In the second half, once we scored, Marshall stepped up their play and made it a lot more difficult for us.  I thought we created good chances in the second half, but we played to Marshall's style a bit more, lost tempo and our play was very sloppy.  We need to be able to dictate tempo, create opportunities, and finish our chances to become a more dominant team."  
 
All four of de Vries' goals this season are game winners and he leads the Red Flash with eight points.
 
It was a two-sided affair in corner kicks. The Red Flash led six to zero at half but ended the match leading eight to four.
 
10 of the Thundering Herd's 13 shots were on goal while only three of the Red Flash's 11 were, however the Red Flash had two near goals that bounced off the post.
 
Andres Vega (Managua, Nicaragua/Colegio Centro America) and Dominic Ramirez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) led the Red Flash in shots, with three a-piece.
 
"I am excited about the win, the clean sheet, and the work rate, but now we need to refocus and get ready for another stiff test on Friday," said Casper.
 
The Red Flash began a three-game road trip Friday evening at 6 p.m. when they travel to Olean, N.Y. to face St. Bonaventure University (0-5). The Red Flash will then open NEC competition at Fairleigh Dickinson University on October 10 at 7 p.m. Saint Francis closes out their road trip at Bryant University on October 12 at 1 p.m. before coming home to face St. Francis Brooklyn for their first home NEC match on October 17 at 3 p.m.