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Saint Francis University Athletics

Heather Markiewicz

Women's Soccer David Halstead

Women's Soccer set to kickoff season at Loyola (Md.) and UMBC

Loretto, Pa. – Saint Francis women's soccer opens its 2019 campaign with a match at Loyola (Md.) on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Red Flash then travel to play at UMBC on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Scouting Loyola (Md.)
The Greyhounds were 6-10-1 last season, finishing the year with a 1-3-1 stretch over the last five games. Loyola defeated both of its NEC opponents last season as it knocked off SFU and Mount St. Mary's. The Greyhounds averaged 1.12 goals per match, while allowing 1.41 goal per contest. Senior midfielder Hannah Hoefs returns as the team's leading scorer from last season with six goals and four assists. Sophomore forward Sarah Bayer also is back for Loyola after netting four goals and adding an assist in her first season with the Greyhounds.
 
Series History
Loyola recorded a 1-0 win over the Red Flash last season on August 26, 2018. The teams have played in each of the past four seasons with Loyola holding a 3-1 record over that stretch and a 4-1 all-time series record. SFU's only victory came in the form of a 3-0 win in 2017.
 
Getting off to a Fast Start
Despite recent success, Saint Francis has struggled in season openers over the past several years. SFU is 0-4-2 in the past six seasons with a 2-2 tie in last season's first contest against Radford. The Red Flash last opened a season with a win in 2012, defeating Duquesne 2-0.
 
Scouting UMBC
The Retrievers had a difficult season in 2018 with a 2-15 overall record. UMBC started the year off with eight straight losses before notching its first victory against Mount St. Mary's. UMBC then dropped seven straight matches before finishing the season with a win over Maine. The Retrievers struggled to find the back of the net, averaging 0.88 goals per match, while allowing 2.76 goals per contest. Junior forward Christina Corbi returns as the leading scorer from last season with five goals and an assist. Sophomore midfielder Danielle Fuentes is also back after a solid freshman campaign with three goals and three assists.
 
Series History
UMBC has an 0-3-1 record against the Red Flash over the past four meetings, including a 4-0 loss last season. This is the fourth straight year that the teams have squared off with the Retrievers' best result over that stretch coming in a 2-2 tie in 2017. UMBC holds a 13-3-1 all-time series record.
 
Hernan's Goalkeeping Prowess
The Saint Francis defensive unit is powered by fifth-year senior shot stopper Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School). The program's all-time leader in career clean sheets with 23, Hernan enters her final season of eligibility with 62 starts under her belt.
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Players Mentioned

Julia Hernan

#1 Julia Hernan

GK
5' 7"
Redshirt Senior
Physical Therapy Doctorate

Players Mentioned

Julia Hernan

#1 Julia Hernan

5' 7"
Redshirt Senior
Physical Therapy Doctorate
GK
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