BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – An eventful sequence in the closing seconds of the first half staked the Saint Francis women's lacrosse team to a three-goal halftime lead, but LIU stymied the Red Flash attack in the second half and battled back to hand SFU an 11-7 defeat Wednesday.
 
Redshirt senior Livia Baker scored two goals in the final 12 seconds of the opening half, in a sequence in which she scored, won the ensuing draw, and was fouled to set up a free-position goal with 0.9 seconds remaining in the half. However, the Sharks would hold the Red Flash off the scoreboard for the majority of the second half to mount a comeback win on their home turf.
 
Long Island 11, Saint Francis 7
Records: Saint Francis (2-4, 2-3 NEC); Long Island (5-1, 3-1 NEC)
Location: Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium (Brookville, N.Y.)

COACH COYNE'S COMMENTS
"LIU played a great second half. Obviously we are disappointed by the outcome but we didn't play a complete 60 minutes. Elyssa played an outstanding game. She kept us in it.

"There weren't enough quality scoring opportunities in the second half. The attack became very stagnant and didn't take enough high percentage shots. There were too many unforced errors in transition and we kept forcing the ball into the middle on attack.

"The positive is we can't dwell on this loss. We need to shift our focus immediately to Merrimack on Saturday. We are excited about playing them again. It should be a very competitive game."
 
KEY MOMENTS

• Baker's two goals in the final 12 seconds of the first half gave the Red Flash a 6-3 advantage at the break.
• The Sharks held the Red Flash scoreless for the first 29 minutes of the second half, keeping the visitors in check while turning a three-goal deficit into a four-goal advantage. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Senior Emileigh Scott scored 3:34 into the contest to begin a three-goal run that included tallies from juniors C.C. Courter and Catherine Russo. The Russo goal prompted an LIU timeout with 20:03 to go in the half.
• The Sharks pulled to within 3-2 before Scott's second of the afternoon increased the cushion to two at 4-2 with 13:36 remaining in the opening half.
• The Red Flash led by one in the closing minute of the half before Baker struck twice, in a sequence in which she scored, won the draw, and scored again with 0.9 on the clock. The Red Flash led 6-3 at the break.
• A goal with 17 minutes remaining in the second half, in the midst of a 7-0 run, gave the Sharks a 7-6 lead and the advantage the rest of the game.
• Scott scored once more with 48 seconds remaining before the Sharks answered with 10 seconds to play.

STATS

• Emileigh Scott tallied three goals and Baker added a three-point afternoon. Baker won a team-high three draws.
• Baker, senior Sam Scott and junior Autumn McHenry recorded assists.
• Redshirt senior Peyton LeConte recorded four caused turnovers and a ground ball.
• Sophomore Kelly Dickson posted an effort of two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
• Junior Elyssa Enrique notched a career-high 16 saves.
• The Sharks held a 13-7 advantage on the draw.
• Shot attempts were 36-17 in favor of LIU. 

GAME NOTES

• Saint Francis drops to 6-12 all-time against LIU. The meeting was the first on the Post campus since the LIU Brooklyn and Post campuses and programs merged.
• Russo played her first collegiate game on the island where she grew up, scoring on her one shot attempt.

UP NEXT 
Saint Francis hosts Merrimack Saturday at 1 p.m. at DeGol Field. Attendance is limited to the home team guest list and holders of an active Saint Francis ID. The game will air on NEC Front Row.
 
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.