FLASH MOMENTS
Delbone scored the first two goals of the season for the Red Flash, giving the Loretto program a 1-0 lead at 8:33 left in the first quarter and 13:46 left in the second quarter. Patten dished out an assist on both of the freshman's tallies. 

Saint Francis posted back-to-back markers to end the second quarter to go into the break tied at 4. Roncarati twinkled the twine unassisted at 4:23, and then Givens knotted the game at four off Patten's third assist of the match with 3:59 left in the half.

FLASH NUGGETS
Patten, who made her second collegiate start, had five assists in her first 20 games played in five different contests before her three-assist performance. The last time a player had three helpers in a season opener was Kelly Dickinson against Longwood on February 22, 2023.

Delbone became the first freshman since Bella Fisher in 2023 to register the first goal of a season for the team and finish her collegiate debut with multiple scores. Givens also had a hat trick in her collegiate debut. 

Roncarati registered the fourth season-opening goal of her career after posting a tally in her collegiate debut at Youngstown State on February 18, 2022, and two goals against Longwood before her score on Tuesday. The only season the senior did not register a goal in the season opener was 2024, when she did not play while she was still recovering from injury. Roncarati has 27 goals and three assists for 30 points in her career.

Givens, who is the Red Flash's top returning scorer, registered her 48th goal of her career and has 13 assists for 61 career points. The junior has registered a goal in 23 of the 28 games she has played. Givens also paced the defense with two caused turnovers. 

Taylor Coughlin made 14 saves, which was the third most stops in a game in her career.

Victoria DiRenno paced the team with six draw controls.

Delbone, Samantha Hewitt, Lily Robertson, and Bella Tesche made their collegiate debut in the starting lineup, while Lani Filoon saw her first collegiate action off the bench. Elizabeth Garcia made her Red Flash debut after transferring from Saint Joseph's.

Chyler Espino saw her first action in a game after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2024 season opener at Oregon on February 16. The senior captain grabbed two draw controls. 

Saint Francis opened its 23rd season in program history on the road for the 16 time. It was the second time the Red Flash played Akron in the lidlifter, joining the 2021 season. The two battles that also served as the season opener for the Loretto program are the only two wins for the Zips in the five meetings. 

NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis returns to action and makes its 2025 DeGol Field debut against Youngstown State on Saturday. Game time is noon.