Flash Points: 

• Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) broke a scoreless tie with a header in the 26th minute
• Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) had two assists
• Julia Hernan (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) made four saves for her second clean sheet of the tournament
• This is the third NEC title for the program winning in 2010 and 2013
• Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) was named tournament MVP

LORETTO, PA- Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) headed home a Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) cross and Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) added a second half insurance goal as Saint Francis clinched its third NEC tournament title with a 2-0 victory over Central Connecticut State on Sunday afternoon at the Stokes Soccerplex. 

The victory is the third title in the last seven seasons for the Red Flash as the 2016 squad joins the 2010 and 2013 teams in making the NCAA tournament. 

Saint Francis came out as the aggressor early in the match, firing off four shots in the first 10 minutes, forcing a pair of saves from CCSU keeper Nicki Turley. The Blue Devils countered back in the 14th minute getting one shot blocked and another sailing just wide of the far post off a corner kick. Hernan made the first of her four saves in the 23rd minute as a clearing attempt ricocheted off of forward Emily Hogan, forcing Hernan to make a quick save on the far post. The Flash countered back once again and a Casey Gallaher (Sidman, Pa./Forest Hills) shot forced Turley to punch the ball out of play, resulting in a corner kick. Off the set piece, Shannon McGinnis (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) blocked down a potential CCSU clearing attempt, the ball found Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) who lobbed a cross into the box. Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) found space and headed the ball just under the crossbar and over the out stretched arms of Turley for the match's first goal. Hernan would make one more first half stop, knocking down a Kelly Halligan shot from distance. SFU would take a 1-0 lead into the half. 

The Red Flash continued to pressure in the second half, keeping CCSU at bay. The Blue Devil defense blocked down two SFU shots and forced another wide right as they looked to counter for the tying goal. The Blue Devils nearly struck in the 63rd minute when freshman Carla Jackson got free deep in the goal box and put heavy english on a bad angle shot. The ball clipped the top of the crossbar before heading out of play. Moments later, the Red Flash got an insurance goal. Morales took the ball up the near side and crossed the ball into the box. McGhee got good positioning on the Blue Devil defense and got free enough to put a shot into the low right corner to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute. SFU was able to control the ball and prevented the Blue Devils from sustaining any sort of attack. The Blue Devils threatened late as Hernan blocked down a Carla Jackson shot and Shauny Alterisio put the rebound shot high. The sophomore secured the clean sheet and the Red Flash their third title. 

Leah Hardin (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen), who scored Friday, Casey Gallaher (Sidman, Pa./Forest Hills), Siobhan Bross (Danville, Pa./Danville Area), and Sara Suler (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) were named to the All-Tournament team following the match. Suler took home MVP honors for the game-winning goal. On Sunday, Saint Francis out shot CCSU 19-12 including 8-4 in shots on goal. They also enjoyed a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. The victory moves SFU to 10-11 on the season while CCSU finishes their year at 9-10-1. The Red Flash find out who their first round opponent is tomorrow afternoon during the Women's College Cup selection show at 4:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.