LORETTO, Pa. – Eva Valentini (Junin, Buenos Aires, Argentina/Colegio Marianista Junin) brought the Saint Francis faithful to an outburst of joy when she scored with 10 seconds left in regulation in a non-conference field hockey match against Ball State University on Sunday. The Cardinals scored 47 seconds later to earn a 2-1 overtime win.

After a Ball State foul, Dolores Zavaleta (San Juan, Argentina/Colegio Central Universatario) passed the ball to Valentini off a defender, who then made a move on a defender and then ripped a backhanded shot 15-yards out that rocketed the back of the cage to tie the match at 1. For Valentini it was her first collegiate goal after coming to Loretto for the 2021 season.

Chloe South (Lusby, Md./Patuxent) made five saves for the Red Flash, and now has 29 stops in her first season with the team. 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of the match. It would stay that way until Valentini's rifle shot in the waning seconds of the game, but Saint Francis did have a couple other chances prior to tying the score.

The Red Flash put pressure on the Ball State defense especially in the final five minutes of regulation. Ella Maillie (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) nailed a shot that went off the left post and Francesca Primomo (Ontario, Canada/St. Michael Catholic) had her shot saved with 4:51 left and then Julia Brennan (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) missed a penalty stroke seconds later.

After Valentini's tally, the Cardinals were awarded a penalty corner and converted the opportunity to earn the victory in third meeting between the two programs.

The Red Flash goal was the first of the season it four matches, ending a 239 minute and 50 second scoring drought.

Saint Francis returns to DeGol Field on Friday against Loch Haven, a team that defeated Ball State on Friday, 2-1. Game time is 6 p.m.