LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis women's lacrosse team received four-goal efforts from redshirt senior Livia Baker and senior Emileigh Scott on Senior Day, but LIU jumped in front in the second half and fended off the Red Flash Saturday at DeGol Field.
 
The Sharks scored in the final minute of the opening half and scored the first three out of the break to lead 9-6 with 26 minutes remaining. The Red Flash pulled back within one on three occasions, including the final margin, but could not even the score in the closing minutes.
 
Scott added eight draw controls to her offensive performance while Baker chipped in with four. Juniors Hannah McDermott and Autumn McHenry contributed two-goal games.
 
LIU 13, Saint Francis 12
Records: Saint Francis (4-6, 4-5 NEC); LIU (9-2, 7-2 NEC)
Location: DeGol Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
COACH COYNE'S COMMENTS
"This was a very disappointing loss, especially for our seniors. From a statistical standpoint, the game was even, but I thought we played tight at times. Emileigh crushed it on the draw. Her play kept LIU off-balance and sparked great scoring opportunities. Overall, the team executed draw circle strategy really well. Liv scoring off the opening draw was not just a game highlight, it was a season highlight. Her middie game was outstanding again today. We did have scoring opportunities late in the game but just couldn't finish. We will shift our focus Monday to preparing to beat Mount St. Mary's."

KEY MOMENTS

• Baker won the opening draw and took it the distance to score the game's opening goal nine seconds in.
• A four-goal stretch that spanned both halves allowed the Sharks to turn a 6-5 deficit into a lead they would not relinquish.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Baker scored nine seconds into the game and scored again after a Scott goal, staking the Red Flash to a 3-0 lead 3:32 into the game.
• LIU scored the next three before McHenry put SFU back in front. Shark goals were answered by Scott and on a man-up by McDermott to give the Red Flash a 6-5 advantage with 1:40 to play in the half.
• The Sharks scored in the final minute of the half for a 6-6 deadlock at the break and notched the first three of the second half to lead 9-6 with 26:39 to play.
• Baker and Scott got Saint Francis back within one before LIU answered with the next three to move in front 12-8.
• McHenry, Baker, and McDermott scored in succession to bring the Red Flash within 12-11 with 4:40 to play.
• LIU scored a key insurance goal with two-and-a-half minutes remaining and Scott scored the game's final tally as time expired.

STATS

• The Red Flash scored seven of its 12 goals on free-position shots. McHenry and senior Sam Scott assisted on two of the other five.
• McHenry and sophomore Erika Ellison each collected two caused turnovers.
• Junior Elyssa Enrique made nine saves.
• Shots were even at 29 for each team with 22 on goal for both sides.
• Both teams committed 11 turnovers.
• The Red Flash held a 14-12 advantage in the draw circle against a team that entered the day fourth in the nation in percentage of draws won at 64.1%.

GAME NOTES

• Scott's four-goal performance moved her within one of Kate Simmons for second in program history and jumped her ahead of Jessica Mazzur and Sarah Mahon to become the third player in Red Flash history to 150 career points.
• Baker passed Morgan Day to improve to 10^th in program history in goals with 75.
• The Red Flash honored this year's eight seniors – Baker, Emileigh Scott, Sam Scott, Amanda Heidt, Katie Page, Shea Moran, Katie Kincaid and Peyton LeConte – in addition to Day, who was unable to have a Senior Day a year ago, in a pregame ceremony.

UP NEXT 
Saint Francis will play two pivotal games on the road next week, beginning with a Wednesday showdown at Mount St. Mary's. The 3 p.m. game in Emmitsburg can be seen 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.