BOX SCORE Boca Raton, Fla. - The Saint Francis women's soccer team couldn't overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit, falling to Florida Atlantic 3-1 on Sunday despite a late goal from senior Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac).

Head Coach Brenda van Stralen's Reaction 

"We started way too slow and it cost us the match," said head coach Brenda van Stralen. "It took us 25 minutes to wake up and start to play our game. When we did that we showed that we can be a dangerous team in the attack. It's time for this group to focus on the task at hand and do whatever it takes to get a result." 

Turning Point

A slow start plagued the Red Flash as it fell behind 2-0 23 minutes into the match. The Red Flash wouldn't get closer than a two-goal deficit the rest of the way.

Highlights

• The Owls took the lead in the 12th minute when a Florida Atlantic striker was brought down in the box. Ebba Blomqvist stepped up to the spot and converted to the goalkeeper's left to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.
• Tiril Haga gave the home side a 2-0 advantage in the 23rd minute, picking up a loose ball and walking in on the Saint Francis goal unimpeded before slotting home.
• Saint Francis came on strong in the second half. Senior Siobhan Bross (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) created the first opportunity of the half with a ball over the top of the FAU back four. Sophomore Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) beat her defender to the ball but elected to square the ball across the face of goal and it was cleared away.
• Bross tried her luck with a left-footed strike in the 60th minute that tested the keeper and had to be punched aside for a corner. Junior Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) met the ensuing corner with her head, placing her attempt wide of goal.
• FAU took a 3-0 lead in the 81st minute on a breakaway goal from Pernille Velta.
• The Red Flash responded with its first goal of the season moments later. Bross put a shot on goal that was spilled and freshman Camryn Tirado (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) punced on the rebound. Her shot was saved but the loose ball led to a free kick.
• Senior Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac), the reigning NEC Player of the Year, got SFU on the board with a dipping free kick under the bar and inside the far post to cut the score to 3-1 with 6:19 remaining. It would be the last scoring chance the Red Flash would generate.

Notes  

• The Red Flash were outshot 16-6 but were dangerous with its chances, putting five of its six shots on target.
• Bross led the Red Flash with three shots and two shots on goal.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School) made four saves for the second consecutive contest.
• Freshman Camryn Tirado made her first career start, registering a shot on goal.

Up Next 

Saint Francis has a week to rest its legs before a road contest at Dayton next Sunday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m.