BROOKLYN, N. Y.- Francis de Vries (Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere) and Conner Rezende (Davie, Fla. /University School at Nova Southeastern) each converted first half set pieces and the Red Flash advanced to their second-straight NEC men's soccer final with a 2-1 win over Robert Morris in Friday's semi-finals at LIU Brooklyn. 

Rezende converted a penalty kick in the 10th minute of the match after Brendan McGhee (Pickering, Ontario, Canada/St. Mary's Catholic) was taken down in the box by the far post. The senior fooled RMU keeper Brendan Alfery and scored into the lower left corner for his third tally of the season. The penalty kick was the result of constant early pressure by the Red Flash. Saint Francis controlled the ball for much of the first half, preventing any consistant push from the Colonials. Robert Morris did earn a free kick after a foul on de Vries in the 34th minute. However, Neco Brett's shot from just outside the 18 box sailed well high of the net. 

SFU countered off the missed opportunity by the Colonials and Mario Mastrangelo (Venetia, Pa/Peters Township) nearly made it 2-0, but his shot sailed just wide of the net. Moments later, a Robert Morris foul resulted in a free kick from around 25 yards from goal. de Vries took the free kick and struck a beautiful shot that bent over the RMU wall and off the inside of the near post and into the net. The two-time NEC Defender of the Year's sixth goal of the season gave the Flash a 2-0 lead that they would take into the half. 

The Saint Francis defense continued to bottle up the Colonial attack into the second half as desperation began to set in for Robert Morris. RMU didn't get their first shot on goal in the second half until a Marcus Rojas (Fremont, Calif./Bellarmine College Preparatory) save in the 61st minute. The junior made two saves in his fifth-straight victory. The Red Flash continued to counter-attack against Robert Morris, generating solid scoring chances in the second half. Andres Vega (Managua, Nicaragua/Colegio Centro America) and Pedro Neto (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Instituto Nossa Senhora Da Gloria) had shots sail wide and another free kick by de Vries resulted in a brlliant save by Alfery. 

In the 70th minute, a cross into the box brought Rojas out to challenge for the ball. The keeper made contact witht Matt Fonagy of RMU and was called for the foul. NEC Player of the Year Neco Brett converted the penalty kick to make it a 2-1 contest. 

The Flash had chances down the stretch to score an insurance goal but Mario Mastrangelo (Venetia, Pa/Peters Township) just missed with a shot high and Alfery made two terrific saves on Troye Kiernan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) and Andres Vega (Managua, Nicaragua/Colegio Centro America). Rojas was tested one more time down the stretch but Rojas grabbed a crossing pass and Lucas Puntillo missed wide on a set piece inside the final minute. 

The win moves Saint Francis to 11-5-3 on the season and they will face the winner of LIU and SFBK on Sunday. Match time for the NEC crown is set for noon.