Saint Francis women's soccer returns to action on Thursday when they head to Washington D.C. to play Howard in their final game of the 2023 regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Saint Francis will be looking to rebound after their 3-2 loss and keep their playoff hopes alive.
In order to make the Northeast Conference Playoffs, the Red Flash must defeat Howard and get help elsewhere. Even if Saint Francis picks up three points against Howard, they need Le Moyne to knock off Sacred Heart in Fairfield to get in to the tournament.
Last time out, the Red Flash nearly climbed out of an early 3-0 hole thanks to two
Aixa Helbringer-Escobar braces, but ultimately fell short in a 3-2 loss.
Helbringer-Escobar earned an NEC Prime Performer honor for her efforts against the Pioneers.
Lauren Persichetty continued her breakout season with an assist on the first of Helbringer-Escobar's two goals. She now has career-highs in goals (4), assists (3) and points (11) this season.
Claire Miko assisted on Helbringer-Escobar's second goal, putting her at three assists on the season. Miko is now tied with Persichetty,
Lauren Pyle and
Tomke Dziesiaty for the team lead in helpers this season.
THE WORD ON HOWARD
The Bison enter the matchup at 10-5-2 overall, and 5-3-1 in the NEC. Last time out, Howard lost 3-2 on the road to Merrimack after opening up a 2-0 lead early in the second half.
Melea Earley leads the Bison in scoring with 25 points from 11 goals and three assists. Earley sits second and third in the NEC respectively in those statistics.
Marli Berry and Samantha James are tied for the team lead in assists with six each on the campaign.
Trinity Knox has been a standout player in net for Howard, posting the second best goals against average (1.13) and the most saves (76) in the conference.
LAST TIME WE MET
Saint Francis and Sacred Heart last met on Sept. 29, 2022 in Loretto. The two sides went back and forth throughout the second half before the Red Flash pulled out a 2-1 victory thanks to a late own-goal by the Bison.
Tomke Dziesiaty opened the scoring in the contest with a 61st minute goal.
The Red Flash and Pioneers have met 10 times before, with the Red Flash holding an 8-2 lead in the series.
The two sides first met on Oct. 21, 1998 in a 1-0 Red Flash win in Washington D.C.
UP NEXT
If the Red Flash get in to the NEC Playoffs, they would play either Merrimack, Central Connecticut State or Fairleigh Dickinson in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Oct. 29.
