Flash Points:

• Freshmen Taylin Lehman (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and Celeste Azzari (Woolwich Twp., N.J./Kingsway Regional) will be highlighted.
• Saint Francis takes on Colgate on Sunday at 1 p.m. at DeGol Field.

LORETTO, Pa. – In this week's edition of the Field Hockey Notebook, freshmen Taylin Lehman (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and Celeste Azzari (Woolwich Twp., N.J./Kingsway Regional) will be highlighted.
 
The tight-knit community Saint Francis offers in a Division I setting helped Lehman pick her college. "I choose Saint Francis University because I liked the feeling of knowing everyone and not just being a number in class," said Lehman. For Azzari it was the same type of feeling, "Saint Francis was the perfect size for me and I love how it's a family environment," she said.  
 
The transition from high school to college athletics can be challenging for any freshman.  For Lehman, however, the changes have affected her less than most. Although Lehman only started her senior year of high school, she has adjusted quickly with the Red Flash and has started all four games thus far.  Already she is becoming a mainstay in the Saint Francis defense.  What has allowed for this, one might ask?  Mentality and hard work.  "Every drill you are expected to give 100 percent and bring as much energy as you can," she said. And she has done just that. Azzari credits her teammates for the easier transition from high school to college. "Every one of these girls has played a major part in getting me to where I am today, whether it's advice, motivation or being a great friend," she said.  
 
Lehman and Azzari have been members of the Red Flash field hockey family for four weeks.  Although it may not seem like much time together, both feel like true members already.  "During the first week after a night practice, I sent a message to a few of my past teammates saying, 'I love my team!' because they [the upperclassmen] made all of the freshman feel a part of the team," said Lehman.
 
Azzari's has appeared in all four matches this season for the Flash. In a win against Missouri State, Azzari shared a special moment with her roommate, Kelli Connolly (Laurel Springs, N.J./Camden Catholic). She assisted Connolly on her second career goal, and Azzari recorded her first collegiate assist. "As soon as she [Connolly] scored we just ran towards each other. I think I had a smile on my face the rest of the game," she said. Not only did she share a special bond with her roommate, but she gained much-needed confidence to help her through the rest of the season.
 
Home field advantage works in favor of the home team. Last season the Flash went 5-2 at the friendly confines of DeGol Field. So what was the experience like for Azzari as she took the field against Towson? "It was very exciting to play on our home turf. It was awesome seeing friends in the stands cheering us on." Saint Francis is off to a great start as they downed Towson, 1-0, in their home opener on Friday. The Flash look to defend their home turf on Sunday against Colgate at 1 p.m.