Flash Points:
RICHMOND – The Saint Francis field hockey team fell in the semifinal round of the A-10 Championship Tournament on Friday, 2-1, against Saint Joseph's on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Saint Francis finishes the 2016 season with an 11-9 overall record, while Saint Joseph's will advance to the A-10 title game on Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal match between UMass and Richmond.
The Saint Francis defense was tested in the first half as Saint Joseph's fired off nine shots and was awarded six penalty corners. The SFU defense stood their ground, as the game would head into halftime scoreless.
The Hawks would break the scoreless tie in the 41st minute after their first penalty corner of the second half. Anna Willocks found Pepa Serrano out wide and Serrano finished far post to give SJU a 1-0 lead.
Saint Joseph's then scored off a penalty corner attempt at the 44:44 minute mark and took a 2-0 advantage. Serrano gave Willocks a give-and-go in the center of the circle to beat
Elizabeth Dyer (Berwick, Pa./Berwick).
Saint Francis converted on their first penalty corner of the match with eight minutes remaining.
Hannah Retherford (Benton, Pa./Benton) found the back of the net off a rebound from
Brianna Govia (St. James, Trinidad/Holy Name). The goal scored by Retherford was the second postseason goal in program history.
Brea Seabrook (Wilkes Barre, Pa./GAR Memorial) was looking for the equalizer with under a minute remaining but her shot was turned away by SJU goalie Victoria Kammerinke to hold on for the win.
Saint Joseph's outshot Saint Francis 16-2 on Friday and 7-2 in shots on goal. The Hawks held a 10-1 advantage in penalty corners. Dyer finished with five saves, while Kammerinke recorded a save for the Hawks.
