CHICAGO – The Saint Francis women's soccer team had its share of chances against Loyola Chicago on Friday night, but the Ramblers used two second half goals to defeat the Red Flash, 2-0. The match was played on the first night of the Loyola Invitational.

The first half ended scoreless, but both teams had chances to draw first blood in the opening 45 minutes. In the 14^th minute, Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) had a free kick from around 25 yards out sail over the crossbar.

In the 17^th minute, Loyola had a corner kick opportunity, but Jessica Keller (Sandy Hook, Conn./Newtown) headed the entry out of danger. Three minutes later, another Loyola corner came dangerously close to giving the Ramblers a 1-0 lead. Kara Ruffolo came out of the scrum following the corner with the ball in front, and her shot looked destined for the back of the net. But Flash defender Casey Gallaher (Sidman, Pa./Forest Hills) made the save just inches from the goal line. Two minutes later, a cross from the left resulted in a Rambler shot on goal, but keeper Romina Kunze (Frankfurt, Germany/Carl-von-Weinberg-Schule) made a great leaping save to knock the ball over the crossbar with her right hand.

The Flash had two chances of its own in the final stages of the first half. Allison LaDuke (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) had a turnaround shot from the edge of the 18-yard box saved in the 30^th minute. Ten minutes later, Morales set up for a free kick just to the right of the top of the box, and her centering feed for Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) was just off the mark.

Loyola broke through less than two minutes into the second half. Kunze made the initial save on Jenna Szczesny from just a few yards away, but the rebound came back out to her. Szczesny found Ashley Bovee in the goal mouth for her first goal of the season. It gave the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.

SFU had its best second-half chances in the final 12 minutes. Gallaher made a nice run down the right side, and she had a clean look at a centering feed for Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen), but goalkeeper Maddie Ford cut off the pass. Two minutes later, Morales made a defender miss on the left side to open a clear lane. She ripped a shot wide, however, to keep the game at 1-0.

"I thought we really played well in the second half," Saint Francis head coach Brenda van Stralen said. "Kelly Beegle (Bedford, Pa./Bedford) gave us tremendous leadership tonight, and our team is really growing and making some positive strides."

Loyola added a second goal with five minutes remaining from Szczesny to complete the scoring.

The Red Flash plays its second game at the Loyola Invitational on Sunday at noon against DePaul.