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Sunday: Live Stats 

Coral Gables, Fla. – The NEC defending champion Saint Francis Red Flash will kick off its 2017 season in Florida this weekend with games at Miami on Friday, Aug. 18, and Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Scouting Miami
 
The Hurricanes will present a formidable test in Saint Francis's opener as they return seven starters from last season's squad that went 10-8-1 and finished the 2016 season with an rpi of 67. Miami was difficult to beat on its home field, posting an 8-3-0 record at Cobb Stadium.  The Hurricanes will have to replace first team All-ACC selection Grace Lachowecki who led the club with 11 goals in 2016. ACC All-Freshman performer, Kristina Fisher, will power the attack after scoring seven goals and adding six assists as a freshman. Senior Ronnie Johnson also returns after netting seven goals in her junior campaign. The Red Flash will look to expose an inexperienced Miami backline as the Hurricanes lost three starting defenders from last season.
 
Scouting Florida Atlantic
 
The Owls posted a 12-8-2 record in 2016, appearing in the Conference-USA title game where they lost to Charlotte. Elisha Holmes, a Conference-USA All-Freshmen selection, is the top returning offensive threat after registering four goals and three assists in 2016. Florida Atlantic's team-defending was its strength as the team led the conference with 10 shutouts last season.
 
Experienced Group
 
Saint Francis returns 10 starters and 92.6% of its scoring from last season's NEC championship-winning team. NEC Player of the Year and Golden Boot Winner Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) returns after leading the conference in goals and points with six and 19, respectively. Saint Francis returns three of its four first team all-conference selections in Morales, senior Allison LaDuke (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) and junior Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory). Also back is NEC second team all-conference selection Siobhan Bross (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) and NEC All-Rookie selections Abigail Tarosky (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin), Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) and goalkeeper Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School).
 
Finish Strong
 
Saint Francis saved its best soccer for its stretch run last season, going 8-2 over its final 10 games. During the stretch, the Red Flash outscored its opponents  20-6, posting clean sheets in seven matches. Saint Francis was at its best during the conference tournament, holding Fairleigh Dickinson and Central Connecticut State without a goal over 180 minutes of action.
 
 
Big Freshmen Class
 
Head coach Brenda van Stralen welcomes 10 freshmen for the 2017 season, which will improve the depth and quality of her side immediately.  Eight members of the class hail from Pennsylvania as Van Stralen continues to dominate in-state recruiting. The class is well-balanced with five midfielders, three forwards, two defenders and a goalkeeper.