LORETTO, Pa. – A program-record defensive performance and a career-high three goals from freshman Danielle Hernandez helped the Saint Francis women's lacrosse team to a 9-7 win over Sacred Heart Saturday at DeGol Field.
 
Redshirt senior Livia Baker and junior Hannah McDermott added two goals for Saint Francis in its first win of the year, while junior C.C. Courter contributed a three-point afternoon.
 
Saint Francis held Sacred Heart to one goal in the second half and none in the final 15 minutes. The seven goals allowed by the Red Flash in the victory were the fewest in program history in an NEC win and tied for the fewest in any conference game during SFU's 20-year program history.
 
Saint Francis 9, Sacred Heart 7
Records: Saint Francis (1-3, 1-2 NEC); Sacred Heart (1-3, 1-2 NEC)
Location: DeGol Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
COACH COYNE'S COMMENTS
"What an awesome comeback! So proud of our grit and resilience today. It was a total team effort but there were some outstanding performances. Danielle and Hannah both scored huge goals when it mattered most. I thought our midfield unit played very well. We expected a lot from our middies today and they really stepped up. Livia had the perfect middie stat line – she put up big points in every stat category. C.C. did too. She scored our first goal and then assisted on the game-winner and insurance goal. The defensive unit holding Sacred Heart to one goal in the second half plus fighting off a two-man down situation late in the game. It was a great win for the program."
 
KEY MOMENTS

• The Red Flash scored four times in the first seven minutes of the second half, turning a 6-2 halftime deficit into an even contest before Hernandez scored the go-ahead goal eight minutes later.
• Saint Francis withstood a two-man down situation in the final 10 minutes of a one-goal game, as the defense stood tall and the Red Flash emerged unscathed.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The Pioneers scored 37 seconds into the contest before a Courter goal - the first of her collegiate career - evened the contest with 17:35 to play in the half.
• Sacred Heart scored the next four goals before a Baker tally made it 5-2 SHU with 5:02 to go before halftime.
• The Pioneers would add one more before the half and lead 6-2 heading into the locker room.
• Hernandez opened the second-half scoring 2:12 into the session and McDermott followed two minutes later to bring SFU back within 6-4.
• Goals from Baker and senior Emileigh Scott, scored 1:14 apart, brought the game to 6-6 with 23:06 remaining.
• Hernandez scored the go-ahead goal with 15:29 to play and the Pioneers immediately answered 20 seconds later to re-tie the game 7-7.
• Courter found Hernandez with 11:50 to go for the eventual game-winner. Courter would assist McDermott on a goal with 58 seconds remaining for the final 9-7 margin.

STATS

• Junior Catherine Russo collected two assists, while Scott, senior Amanda Heidt, and junior Autumn McHenry each added one.
• Baker added four caused turnovers, three ground balls, and three draw controls in a solid all-around performance.
• Scott collected five draw controls to get to 299 for her career. Her next will make her the first in program history to 300.
• Redshirt senior Peyton LeConte recorded three ground balls and two caused turnovers, while McHenry added two of each.
• Junior Elyssa Enrique recorded 10 saves.
• Shots were even at 21 each.

GAME NOTES

• Saint Francis improves to 3-16 all-time against Sacred Heart with wins in the last three meetings.
• Freshman Tori Petrie made her collegiate debut.
• McDermott's goals were her first two in a Red Flash uniform. The junior transferred from Bridgeport prior to this season.

UP NEXT 
The Red Flash closes its homestand Saturday when Central Connecticut visits DeGol Field. The contest will begin at 1 p.m. and can be seen on NEC Front Row. Attendance is limited to Saint Francis student-athlete guests and holders of an active Saint Francis ID.
 
Follow Saint Francis Women's Lacrosse on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash program.

To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.