Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis women's soccer team (6-8-3, 4-2-1 NEC) played first-place Central Connecticut State (14-1-2, 8-0-0 NEC) even until the 83rd minute when an own goal cost the Red Flash a chance at victory in a 1-0 defeat.

Van Stralen's Reaction

"We played a tremendous soccer match," said head coach Brenda van Stralen. "The intensity was there from start to finish and we had chances to win the match. I thought we were unlucky not to get a result but give credit to CCSU. They are a good team and found a way to pull out the win."

Turning Point

Saint Francis controlled large portions of the game and was outshooting CCSU 17-10 leading up to the goal. The Blue Devils exploited the space down the left side of SFU's defense. The cross went across the face of goal and was redirected in the net by a failed SFU clearing attempt.

Highlights

• Redshirt junior goalkeeper Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School) made two stunning saves in the match's opening minute. Her initial save on a shot from eight yards out was impressive but her ability to get back to her feet and dive to her right for a second save was magnificent.
• SFU settled in after the initial CCSU flurry. Freshman Corinne Renninger (Bechtelsville, Pa./Boyertown) had two go's at goal from 25 yards out in the first half but both went high. 
• Senior Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) tried to find space in the box in the 25th minute but could only manage to get her shot blocked. Junior Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) followed up the shot and poked her attempt over.
• SFU's best chance came late in the first half. Sophomore Erica Carpenter (Abingdon, Md./Notre Dame Prep) picked out junior Abigail Tarosky (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) with a ball over the top. Tarosky took her first touch around the goalkeeper and was brought down in the box. Senior Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) took the penalty kick but was thwarted aside by a diving save from CCSU's Ashley Cavanaugh.
• The scoring opportunities scaled back in the second half with the game in the balance. Suler had a shot attempt saved by Cavanaugh in the 56th minute.
• Saint Francis appeared to take the lead in the 69th minute when Cavanaugh spilled a cross into her own net. The ref took the score off the scoreboard when he whistled Suler for a foul for challenging the cross in the air.
• After CCSU's goal, the Red Flash struggled to muster a scoring attempt.

Inside the Box Score

• Shots favored Saint Francis, 17-11. 
• Shots on goal were even, 7-7.
• The Red Flash earned nine corner kicks to CCSU's three.

Notes

• The loss won't impact SFU's playoff chances as it clinched a berth with last weekend's win over Fairleigh Dickinson.
• If Saint Francis defeats Wagner on Sunday, it will secure the no. 2 seed in the NEC Tournament.
• Renninger and Suler led SFU with four shots each. 
• Suler and sophomore Emilee Barnett (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) finished with two shots on goal.
• Hernan made six saves in the loss.
• The Red Flash will hope to get another crack at the Blue Devils in the NEC Tournament. CCSU finished with a perfect 8-0 record in league play and will host next weekend's three-day tournament.
• The loss was just SFU's second at home this season and the first home conference loss since 2015.

Up Next

Saint Francis concludes its regular season on Sunday, Oct. 28 vs. Wagner at noon. It will be senior day for Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus), Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) and Shelby Milton (Wollongon, NSW Australia/Westfields Sports).