WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis dropped its first Northeast Conference (NEC) match of the year with a 2-0 setback to Fairfield in field hockey action on Sunday.
>> Amber Bryan (Thorndale, Pa.) made nine saves on the afternoon.
>> Eva Valentini (Junin, Argentina) had a shot and a defensive save.
>> The Red Flash is 2-1 to start NEC play for the fourth time in program history and for the second-straight year.

TURNING POINTS
Fairfield scored with 1:38 left in the first half and again three minutes and 37 seconds into the second half for their two scores on the afternoon.

FLASH MOMENTS
Both of the Saint Francis shots took place in the first quarter. Valentini had a shot blocked off a penalty corner at 11:54 and then Madison Waldspurger (Hatfield, Pa.) had a shot turned away off another penalty corner 25 seconds later.

FLASH NUGGETS
Valentini registered her fourth defensive save of the year and ranks second in the circuit in the category.

Saint Francis has started the NEC slate 2-1 for the fourth time with this year's team joining 2007, 2011 and 2022 teams. It is the second-best league start with the 2012 team opening 3-0.
 
The 7-6 record is the fourth-best start in program history and marks the fourth time the team has posted this mark through 13 games (2016, 2017 and 2018). 
 
It marked the first time the squad has been shutout this season to tie the most games to start the season without being held off the scoreboard. The 2013 team also went 13 games without being shutout.
 
Saint Francis, who was picked fifth in the NEC preseason poll, will face the Top-4 teams in the preseason poll to start the league slate. Fairfield was the preseason favorite, while Wagner and Rider were tied for second in the poll. The squad is 2-1 with a 3-0 win against Wagner and a 2-1 victory against Rider on its resume with a date with LIU looming on Friday.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis returns to action on Friday, October 13 at home against LIU. Game time is 4:30 p.m.