Women's Soccer 8/29/2019 10:41:00 AM David Halstead

Women's soccer heads west to face Air Force and Colorado College

Loretto, Pa. – Saint Francis women's soccer (0-0-1) heads west to play the Air Force Academy on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The Red Flash then face Colorado College on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Scouting Air Force
The Falcons were firing on all cylinders opening weekend, defeating Siena 2-0, and TAMUCC, 3-0. It is the best start since 2012 when Air Force also went 2-0 to begin the year, defeating Lamar, 3-0, and Montana, 1-0. In addition, the five goals scored were the most in the first two games of a season against D-1 competition since 2003, when the Falcons netted four against Northern Illinois and one against Fairfield. Freshman forward Lexi Romero led all Falcons on offense with a six point opening weekend (two goals, two assists).

Series History
This is the first-ever meeting between Saint Francis and Air Force.

Scouting Colorado College
The Tigers are a Division I program for women's soccer and members of the Mountain West conference. Colorado College is also off to a hot start, opening the season with a 2-1 win over TAMUCC before knocking off Siena, 3-1. Sophomore forward Jacqui Hand (two goals) and junior midfielder Jenna Wilt (one goal, two assists) lead the Tigers this season with four points each. Colorado College has a history of playing well on its home pitch as the Tigers are 9-0-1 in their last 10 games on Washburn Field.

Series History
This is the first-ever meeting between Saint Francis and Colorado College.

Jaleca named NEC Player of the Week
Saint Francis redshirt junior midfielder Mariana Jaleca (Sebtubal, Portugal) was named NEC Player of the Week following an outstanding performance in the season opener. Jaleca scored two goals in SFU's 2-2 draw at UMBC on Sunday. The Sebtubal, Portugal native netted her first goal of the game in the 36th minute to slice a 2-0 deficit in half. She tallied her second goal to tie it up in the 62nd minute with a one-touch curler over the goalie's head with an assist from Emilee Barnett (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley). Jaleca took five of the Red Flash's six shots on goal and nearly scored a game-winner in overtime.

Taking a look at SFU's rotation
Saint Francis used 17 players in the season opener with freshman Allison Asmann (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Lower Moreland) and redshirt freshman Aleigh Heckman (Sunbury, Pa./Shikellamy) seeing their first action as members of the Red Flash. Five players were on the field for all 110 minutes against UMBC, including Jaleca, Julia Hernan (Collegeville, Pa./The Hill School), Rhiallie Jessell (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock), Corinne Renninger (Bechtelsville, Pa./Boyertown) and Aubrey Suydam (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township).

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Players Mentioned

#12 Emilee Barnett: M; 5' 7"; Junior; Psychology

#2 Aleigh Heckman: D; 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman; Management

#1 Julia Hernan: GK; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; Physical Therapy Doctorate

#27 Mariana Jaleca: M/F; 5' 2"; Redshirt Junior; Psychology

#10 Rhiallie Jessell: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore; Biology

#30 Corinne Renninger: M; 5' 6"; Sophomore; Management

#20 Aubrey Suydam: M/D; 5' 6"; Junior; Social Work

Players Mentioned

#12 Emilee Barnett
: 5' 7"; Junior; Psychology
: M

#2 Aleigh Heckman
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman; Management
: D

#1 Julia Hernan
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; Physical Therapy Doctorate
: GK

#27 Mariana Jaleca
: 5' 2"; Redshirt Junior; Psychology
: M/F

#10 Rhiallie Jessell
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; Biology
: M

#30 Corinne Renninger
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Management
: M

#20 Aubrey Suydam
: 5' 6"; Junior; Social Work
: M/D