BOX SCORE Flash Points:

• Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) scored in the 35th minute
• Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) added insurance in the 67th
• Julia Hernan (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) made five saves in her second shutout

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA- Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory)'s team-leading third goal got the Red Flash on the board and Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) added insurance in SFU's 2-0 win over Robert Morris on Friday afternoon.

"I thought we did a good job controlling the match," head coach Brenda van Stralen said. "We were able to finish some good goals today, it was a good win for us all around."

While the Flash controlled the match, it was Julia Hernan (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School)'s early saves that helped SFU get the momentum. The sophomore made two of her five saves early, including a key one in the seventh minute, denying Erin Ritzer at the near post after a long run. Saint Francis was able to use the early defensive stops to fuel the offense.

SFU kept knocking on the door until Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) gathered in a pass from Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) and ripped it by RMU keeper Makenzie Shearson for her third tally of the year. Morales was able to gather in a chip pass from Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) and touched it over to Suler for the goal. The Flash dominated the final 30 minutes of the opening half, out shooting RMU 5-1 over the final 30 minutes to take the 1-0 advantage into the half.

The Flash kept the pressure on out of the break, firing off six shots in the first 10 minutes of the half. Hernan was called on to make another big save after the SFU initial surge. Off a free kick, Hernan again got the better of Ritzer as she snared her free kick that curled around the wall.

Saint Francis made it 2-0 in the 67th minute as Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) scored her first goal of the year. Hardin volleyed in a perfect cross from Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) and the one-timer found the near post to give the Flash a two-goal lead. They turned up the defensive intensity from there, holding Robert Morris to just two shots, both saved by Hernan, in the final 23 minutes of play.

All told, the Flash out shot RMU 17-10 including 8-5 in shots on goal. SFU also had the 4-2 edge in corner kicks. The win is the third of the season for Saint Francis, but more importantly, evens their NEC record at 1-1. Robert Morris falls to 2-11 overall and is now 0-3 in NEC play. The Flash will open up their home conference schedule on Sunday in a match that can be seen on NEC Front Row against Mount Saint Mary's. Match time is set for 2 p.m.