Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis women's soccer team (2-2-1) had to endure an hour and thirty minute lightning delay but it was its offense that provided most of the electricity in a 3-0 victory over Binghamton (2-2-1). Senior Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) led the way with a goal and an assist in the win.

Van Stralen's Reaction

"I am pleased with our intensity and work rate off the ball today," said Brenda van Stralen. "We played with an urgency that allowed us to win the ball back in good positions."

Turning Point

Saint Francis assumed control of the match in the 15th minute on a goal by sophomore Camryn Tirado (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) and never looked back.

Highlights

• SFU came out of the delay on the front foot. Junior Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) created the first scoring chance of the match with a low strike from 20 yards out that was pushed out for a corner by a diving save.
• Suler nearly got on the board on the ensuing corner when she headed a delivery from sophomore Teresa Reid (Northeast, Md./Rising Sun) just wide.
• Tirado put Saint Francis in front in the 15th minute on a gorgeous team goal. Suler started the attack with a through ball down the left side to McGhee who turned the corner and sent a low cross across the face of goal that was met by a sliding Tirado.
• Binghamton nearly tied the match in the 25th minute when forward Kayla Saager freed herself from two SFU defenders in the box but her shot hit the outside of the post.
• Tirado nearly added a second goal on what would have been an mirror image of the first. Again, McGhee got free down the left and picked out Tirado with a cross at the back post but this time the pass eluded her slide.
• Saint Francis nearly doubled its lead before halftime when McGhee's left-footed shot from 12 yards out was saved. The rebound fell to sophomore Emilee Barnett (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) but her attempt at goal was blocked by a Bearcat defender.
• Binghamton almost leveled the game at 1-1 early in the second half when Saager was again free in the box but her shot from close range sailed high.
• In the end, McGhee's pace proved too much to handle for the Binghamton defense. She set up a goal in the 52nd minute, dribbling around a defender and uncorking a hard shot at goal. The rebound spilled to Suler who was active in the box and there to capitalize.
• The freshmen duo of Leanna Choo (Germantown, Md./Northwest) and heather Markiewicz made an impact after they were substituted in the second half. Choo intercepted a pass in the 78th minute and sent Markiewicz in on goal. Her breakaway attempt was saved but the rebound fell to Choo who skied the follow-up effort.
• Choo would get revenge in the 88th minute, receiving a pass from junior Abigail Tarosky (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) and side-footing home a one-on-one with the keeper. It was her first career goal and Tarosky's second assist of the season.

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis outshot Binghamton 21-14 for the match.
• The quality of chances were on display in the shot on goal category as SFU finished with a 13-5 advantage.
• Corner kicks were also tilted 6-0 in SFU's favor.

Notes

• Redshirt junior goalkeeper inched closer to the SFU shutout record with five stops and now trails Brianna Butcher and Melanie Stockman by one.
• In addition to her two assists, McGhee led Saint Francis with five shots and three shots on goal.
• Heather Markiewicz (Darnestown, Md./Northwest) added three shots off the bench, all of which were on frame.
• Saint Francis improved to 2-1 on its home pitch this season. 
• The Red Flash are 2-0-1 when scoring first and 0-2 when playing from behind.
• Saint Francis has scored two or more goals in four of its five matches.
• Leanna Choo (Germantown, Md./Northwest) became the ninth goal scorer this season through just five matches.
• McGhee continues to climb the record books. Her 17 career assists are just two shy of fifth-place all-time.

Up Next

Saint Francis looks for its third consecutive home win on Sunday, Sept. 2, vs. Bucknell at 4 p.m.