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Saint Francis University Athletics

Julia Hernan
1
St. Francis (Pa.) SFU (8-9-3, 5-2-1)
2
Winner Central Conn. St. CCSU (16-1-2, 8-0-0)
St. Francis (Pa.) SFU
(8-9-3, 5-2-1)
1
Final
2
Central Conn. St. CCSU
(16-1-2, 8-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
St. Francis (Pa.) SFU 0 1 1
Central Conn. St. CCSU 0 2 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

SFU loses in NEC Final in final minutes, 2-1

Loretto, Pa. - Central Connecticut State's Jenna Rae Covello broke a 1-1 tie in the 89th minute, scoring on a left-footed shot with 1:57 in regulation as the Saint Francis women's soccer team (8-9-3, 5-2-1 NEC) lost to Central Connecticut State (16-1-2, 8-0-0 NEC) 2-1  in the 2018 NEC Final in New Britain, Conn.

Van Stralen's Reaction

"We battled for 90 minutes today against a strong CCSU side and the match could have gone either way," said head coach Brenda van Stralen. "I am extremely proud of this team and we wish CCSU the best in the NCAA Tournament. They will represent the NEC well."

Turning Point

The intensity from both teams made it clear it would be a close contest that would come down to one big moment. That moment came in the 89th minute when Rae Covello cut inside and beat redshirt junior goalkeeper Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School) to ice the win.

Highlights 
  • Redshirt junior Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School) stood on her head for much of the match, particularly in the first half. Her first big save came in the 26th minute on a one-on-one opportunity for CCSU forward Danielle Pearse.
  • She was up to the task again in the 30th minute, keeping out a Rae Covello shot from 25 yards out with a diving save that deflected off the post. 
  • Hernan made her third big save of the half in the 40th minute, styming a CCSU attacker with a diving save from in close off her left shoulder.
  • Sophomore Mariana Jaleca (Sebtubal, Portugal) had SFU's best chance of the half in the 43rd minute, ripping a shot from 22 yards out just wide.
  • Saint Francis dodged a bullet in the 53rd minute when Rae Covello hit a shot from 30 yards off the crossbar.
  • Central Connecticut State drew first blood in the 66th minute courtesy of Tournament MVP Danielle Pearse's third goal of the tournament. Rae Covello set her up with a cross to the near post that was redirected for a first time goal.
  • SFU showed its championship mettle to come back and tie the match and it was senior captain Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) who provided the special moment heading home a cross from Jaleca in the 78th minute. 
  • The match looked destined for overtime until Rae Covello got free down the right hand side, cut onto her left-foot, and saw her shot deflected into the SFU goal with 1:57 remaining.
Inside the Box Score
  • CCSU outshot the Red Flash 21-12 for the match.
  • Shots on goal tilted toward CCSU, 11-6.
  • The Blue Devils drew six corners to three for the Red Flash.
Notes
  • SFU has seven NEC Finals appearances in the last nine seasons, the most of any NEC school over the time.
  • The Red Flash fell to 4-3 in NEC Finals matches, all of which have been played under the leadership of van Stralen.
  • Suler's goal was her seventh of the season, a new career-high. She finishes her career with 48 points on 18 goals and 12 assists.
  • Hernan made nine saves in defeat as she was named to the NEC All-Tournament team along with sophomore Emilee Barnett (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and freshman Corinne Renninger (Bechtelsville, Pa./Boyertown).
  • Junior Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) led Saint Francis with four shots and two shots on goal.
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