Akron, Ohio - Saint Francis women's soccer dropped their final non-conference match of 2024 to Akron in a tight 1-0 loss on Sunday afternoon. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

>> The Red Flash outshot the Zips 13-11. 

>> Mercedez Paino and Lauren Pyle each tallied three shots on the afternoon. 

>> Emma Sawich made a pair of saves in the match. 

TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
The game's only goal came from a scrum for a lose box in the Saint Francis box that the Zips were able to capitalize on in the 68th minute. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Neither side truly threatened in the opening 10 minutes, but Pyle changed that with the first Red Flash shot of the match in the 13th minute. The attempt was saved. 

Raine Korpics had a dangerous shot from a header in the 19th minute. However, the shot tailed wide. 

Tomke Dziesiaty and Rita Kendziora each had chances to score as the game approached the half-hour mark, but both had their shots saved. 

Paino nearly put the Red Flash in front in the 34th minute but could not get her shot past the keeper. 

For the third match in a row, Saint Francis were denied by the crossbar. This time, it came on a Pyle shot from miles out. Riley Cerqua tried and failed to bury the rebound. 

Coming out of the break, the match was still an even affair when both Paino and Rory Schaeffer nearly gave the Red Flash a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute. 

In the 68th minute, Akron played a corner into the box that landed in a crowd of players. The Red Flash blocked multiple shots in that crowd before allowing one to slip past the sea of players and Sawich to put Akron in front. 

Anouk Landgraff tried to find an equalizer in the 76th minute but sailed it over the crossbar. 

Paino had the final true chance of the game for Saint Francis and was denied by the keeper in the 80th minute. 

FLASH NUGGETS

Sawich has garnered a career-high 36 saves in the 2024 season. Her previous best was 29 in 2023. 

Korpics has now registered at least one shot in six consecutive matches. 

Korpics and Paino are now tied for second in the NEC for shots on goal this season with eight each.

NEXT UP FOR FLASH
The Red Flash open up conference play on Thursday Sept. 19 in a primetime matchup with Chicago State. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.