Flash Points:

• Suler scored off a deflection in the 68th minute
• Julia Hernan (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) made three saves
• The win moves SFU to 4-2 in the NEC

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) scored the match's lone tally in the 68th minute and the Red Flash improved to 4-2 in NEC play with a key 1-0 win on Sunday at Bryant.

Saint Francis came into the match at 3-2 in conference play, a half game behind Bryant. The win moves Saint Francis to 4-2 in the conference and drops Bryant to 4-3. SFU also leap frogs Bryant into fourth-place in the NEC based off Sunday's results.

"Knowing we needed this game, we performed well," coach Brenda van Stralen said. "We came out and earned a pivotal win."

The two teams traded good scoring chances early. Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) missed just wide in the opening minutes and Bryant's Claire Bergh rang a shot off the goal post in the seventh minute of play. The Bulldogs pressured through the middle of the first half, forcing Hernan to make two of her three saves in the match to keep things scoreless. Morales threatened again late in the half but again missed wide in the final minute as the teams went to the break in a scoreless tie.

Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) nearly struck in the 48th minute as the Flash pressured to start the second half. McGinnis found position off a corner kick but her header just sailed over the crossbar. Hernan made her final save of the match in the 57th minute, stopping Haley Reddish, who collected her own rebound but just missed wide on the second attempt.

Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) gave the Flash the lead in the 68th minute as her shot from inside the goal box deflected off a Bryant defender and into the top corner of the net. It was the fourth goal of the year for the sophomore. The Saint Francis defense protected the lead beautifully on Sunday, clamping down the Bryant offense desperate for an equalizer. SFU held Bryant without a shot over the final 22 minutes of the match.

SFU was out shot 9-6 in the match and 3-2 in shots on goal, but SFU held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. The Red Flash wrap up the regular season next weekend with two key home matches. The Flash host CCSU on Friday at noon and Wagner on Sunday also at noon. Sunday will be senior day with the game being broadcasted on NEC Front Row.