Loretto, Pa. – Saint Francis women's soccer (5-8-1, 4-3-0 NEC) heads into a weekend with two vital road matches. The Red Flash play at Merrimack (3-11-0, 1-6-0 NEC) on Friday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. and at Central Connecticut State (7-4-4, 5-1-1 NEC) on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Scouting Merrimack
In its inaugural season in the NEC, the Warriors have struggled in conference play with their only victory against winless St. Francis Brooklyn. Merrimack is coming off a 5-0 loss to CCSU and a 4-0 defeat to LIU. Molly Murnane leads the team with eight points on two goals and four assists, while Izzy McDonnell has six points on three goals.
 
Series History
This will be the first-ever meeting between Saint Francis and Merrimack.
 
Scouting Central Connecticut State
The Blue Devils are on a hot streak, winning four straight matches without allowing a goal. In that stretch, CCSU picked up dominating victories over St. Francis Brooklyn, Wagner, LIU and Merrimack. The Blue Devils are led by Roma McLaughlin with 20 points on nine goals and two assists, while Allyson O'Rourke has 13 points on five goals and three assists.
 
Series History
Saint Francis is 10-14-3 in the all-time series against CCSU. The Red Flash lost both meetings with the Blue Devils last season in a 1-0 defeat on Oct. 26, 2018 in Loretto and a 2-1 heartbreaking loss in the NEC championship game on Nov. 4, 2018 in New Britain, Conn.
 
Playoff Picture
With only three matches remaining in the regular season, every point is important in the standings. The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament, which begins on Nov. 8 at the site of the first-place finisher. Bryant leads the conference race with 18 points, while Fairleigh Dickinson is second with 17 points. CCSU and Sacred Heart sit in a tie for third with 16 points. Saint Francis is just out of the picture in fifth with 12 points.
 
Red Flash record much-needed win over Robert Morris
Saint Francis picked up a 2-1 victory over in-state rival Robert Morris in the last time out on Oct. 18 in Loretto. The win snapped a two-match skid for the Red Flash and gave SFU its first home victory of the season.
 
SFU offense still among NEC's best
Saint Francis has one of the most productive offenses in the NEC. SFU ranks first in points (63), tied for second in goals (22) and tied for second in assists (19).
 
McGhee continues to pace the Red Flash
Senior forward Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) ranks second in the Northeast Conference in points (18) and goals (8).