Niagara Falls, N.Y. - Saint Francis women's soccer kicks off their season on Thursday when they head up to Niagara Falls, N.Y. to face Niagara.

OPENING KICKOFF
 The Red Flash enter a new era under new head coach Brian Diaz, who has a 35-37-3 career record as a head coach across two Division II programs. Diaz, who has spent the last six years as an assistant and associate head coach at Oakland University, will coach his first game as a Division I head coach.
 
It will also mark Chyanne Dennis' first game as an assistant coach for the Red Flash after arriving in February.
 
Saint Francis returns 13 players from last season, including All-NEC selections Mercedez Paino, Lauren Persichetty and Lauren Pyle. The Red Flash will be without Persichetty this season, however, as she is out with a leg injury.
 
Emma Sawich is the only goalkeeper that returns from the 2023 squad. The senior started four games last season and made 29 saves.
 
THE WORD ON NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles enter the 2024 season coming off of a 5-10-3 campaign in 2023. They finished fifth in the MAAC last season with a mark of 4-4-2 and lost to Mount St. Mary's (Md.) on penalties in the MAAC quarterfinals.

Emma Bough is the top scorer who returns for Niagara. The graduate student netted three goals and two assists last season for eight points.
 
The Purple Eagles return two of the three goalkeepers they started last season. Felicia Gruffman started six games and had a 3.27 goals-against average. Kelsey Riordan played in four matches, starting three, and had a 1.57 goals-against average with an 8.28 save percentage.

Isabella Mazzaferro is another contributor who returns for Niagara this year. The sophomore tallied seven points from two goals and three assists in 2023.
 
LAST TIME WE MET
Saint Francis and Niagara last met on Aug. 24, 2023 in Niagara Falls, N.Y., in a match that the Red Flash lost 1-0.
 
Emily Hahnel put the Purple Eagles in front with the game's only goal in the 38^th minute.
 
The Red Flash and Purple Eagles have met 15 times before, with the Red Flash trailing the series 11-4.

The two sides first met on Sept. 16, 1989 in a 5-0 Niagara win in Niagara Falls
 
AROUND THE NEC
Seven of the 11 teams in the NEC will open up their seasons on Thursday. LIU opens their season on Saturday Aug. 17, and FDU, CCSU and Delaware State open up their 2024 campaigns on Sunday Aug. 18.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis will host Iona in their home opener on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1:00 p.m. at Stokes Soccerplex.