BOX SCORE Staten Island, N.Y. - The Saint Francis lacrosse team (6-4, 1-0 NEC) held off the defending NEC champion Wagner Seahawks (2-9, 0-1 NEC) by a score of 10-9 on Friday to tie the program's single-season record of six wins set in 2010.

Concheck's Reaction

"We fought hard to the end today to record a great team win," said head coach Kara Concheck. "Defensively, we focused on our core fundamentals of staying tight on cutters, having strong body positioning, sliding early and constantly communicating. Offensively, we capitalized on our chances, especially on free positions. We made a statement to our conference today and will continue to build."

Turning Point

Saint Francis used a pair of runs, one in the first half and one in the second, to down the Seahawks. After falling behind 2-0, the Red Flash scored four straight. Freshman midfielder Lauren Ryan (Towson, Md. /Notre Dame Prep) accounted for two goals from free positions while fellow freshman Livia Baker (Fallston, Md. /Fallston High School) added a goal as did senior Holly Lawrence (Damascus, Md./Damascus). 

Wagner closed the half on a 3-0 run to lead 5-4 at the break then opened the scoring in the second half to build a two-goal lead. That's when junior Jessica Mazzur (Dallastown, Pa./York Catholic) sparked a 5-0 run with two goals and an assist. Lawrence scored Saint Francis's final goal at the 9:53 mark of the second half to put the Red Flash ahead 10-7. The defense took care of the rest. After Wagner crept within one at 10-9, senior defender Grace Smith (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) sealed the win with a ground ball with under a minute to play.

Inside the Numbers

• Wagner outshot Saint Francis 29-23 and led shots on goal 19-17. Senior goalie Heather McKee (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright Bel Air) was the difference with 10 saves.
• The Seahawks edged the Red Flash 12-8 in draw controls and 26-21 in ground balls. 
• Saint Francis committed 20 turnovers to 16 for Wagner.
• The Red Flash scored six goals on 10 free position shots, while Wagner only had three attempts and one goal. 

Notes 

• With the win the Red Flash claimed just their second conference-opening victory in program history and the first since 2014.
• Lawrence led Saint Francis with three goals, her seventh game of the season with three or more goals. 
• Mazzur finished with two goals and an assist.
• Smith led the defensive effort with a career-high six ground balls. She also led Saint Francis with three caused turnovers.
• Freshman Sydney Davis (Harwood, Md./Southern) led the Red Flash with three draw controls to go along with a goal.
• Saint Francis improved to 2-13 all-time vs. Wagner.

Up Next

Saint Francis tries to go 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2010 when it hosts Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, Apr. 9, at 1 p.m.