BOX SCORE New Britain, Conn. - The Saint Francis women's soccer team (8-8-3, 5-2-1) took its first step towards a three-peat on Friday with a 4-0 victory over Mount St. Mary's (5-9-3, 4-2-2 NEC) in one of two NEC Semifinal matches in New Britain, Conn.

Van Stralen's Reaction

"We played a very good match and did a great job of putting them away in the second half by finishing our chances," said head coach Brenda van Stralen. "It was key for us to get a lead and give some players a rest for what we know will be a very difficult match against a good CCSU side on Sunday."

Turning Point

The Red Flash turned in a spirited and focused effort from the opening whistle. The effort was rewarded in the 15th minute on a powerful header from sophomore Emilee Barnett (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), her second goal of the season. The goal was the result of a pinpoint cross from sophomore Erica Carpenter (Abingdon, Md./Notre Dame Prep) to the back post.

Highlights

• Senior Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) set the tone in the opening 45 minutes with two early chances. She headed down a cross from a corner kick that was cleared off the goal line by the Mountaineers. Moments later, McGinnis redirected a free kick from sophomore Mariana Jaleca (Sebtubal, Portugal/) on target to force a Mount St. Mary's save. 
• After Barnett's 15th minute goal, the Red Flash kept the foot on the gas. Freshman Heather Markiewicz (Darnestown, Md./Northwest) picked out an open Jaleca in front of goal but she couldn't get her body over her shooting attempt. 
• Freshman Corinne Renninger (Bechtelsville, Pa./Boyertown) made it 2-0 in the 31st minute with her first career goal. Jaleca created the chance with a cheeky touch around her defender and found junior Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) at the top of the 18 yard box. McGhee switched the ball to Renninger who hit a first-time left-footed shot to the far post to up the lead to 2-0.
• Protecting a two-goal lead, the Red Flash refused to sit back. McGhee had a chance in the opening moments of the second half thanks to another superb pass from Jaleca. Her shot from close corridors was saved and senior Sara Suler's (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) follow-up was ripped high.
• Jaleca's through ball for freshman Heather Markiewicz (Darnestown, Md./Northwest) in the 54th minute set up the third SFU goal. Markiewicz crossed the ball to McGhee at the far post. Her shot was deflected to Suler for an easy finish and a three-goal lead.
• Sophomore Dakota Graham (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville Area) added a goal in the 58th minute for a 4-0 lead, turning her defender and lacing a strike inside the far post. 

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis outshot Mount St. Mary's 18-5 for the match.
• Shots on goal favored the Red Flash, 10-3.
• Corner kicks were 4-3 in SFU's favor.

Notes

• Saint Francis, the two-time defending champs, will appear in its third straight NEC Final and its seventh since 2010. The Red Flash are 4-2 in championship matches under van Stralen.
• Saint Francis will enter the NEC Final on the heels of its best soccer of the season. Saint Francis has outscored its opponent 9-0 in its last two games.
• Suler has tied her career-high in points with 16 on six goals and four assists. She finished with the same numbers as a sophomore in 2016.
• McGhee's two assists propel her to six on the season. She leads SFU with 18 points on six goals and six assists.

Up Next

Sunday's NEC Final pits SFU against the top-seeded Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. CCSU won the regular-season meeting 1-0 in Loretto two weeks ago. The Red Flash has eliminated CCSU from the NEC Tournament in Semifinal games in each of the last two seasons and is 3-0 against the Blue Devils in the postseason since 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.