Click Here For NEC Tournament Headquarters
Click Here For Boxscore
Click Here For Highlights

Loretto, PA -- In the highly anticipated matchup between #1 seed Saint Francis U’s top-ranked offense and #2 seed Central Connecticut’s top-ranked defense, it was the Red Flash who came out on top, posting a 2-0 win over the Blue Devils on Sunday to claim the program's third NEC women's soccer championship and first since the 2013 campaign.

The home win marked Saint Francis U’s fifth straight victory and 10th overall. With the win, the Red Flash also recorded their ninth shutout of the season.
 
Saint Francis U (10-11) spent the majority of the opening minutes of the first half in Central Connecticut’s (9-11-1) end of the field. But the Blue Devils, who allowed a league-low 0.50 goals per game in conference play this year, kept Saint Francis from getting to NEC Goalkeeper of the Year Nicki Turley (Heniretta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) early on.
 
Turley made her first save in the fourth minute after she smothered a shot from an onrushing Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle). The Blue Devils were unable to generate much offense, with their best chance coming on a Jennifer Cafferky (Boras, Sweden/Sven Erikssons Gymnasiet) header that hooked just wide in the 15th minute.
 
In the 20th minute, Turley made a big save on a Sara Suler (Hermitage, PA/Hickory) header off a corner kick feed. Six minutes later, the Red Flash broke through the Central Connecticut defense when Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) hooked a cross to Suler who sent another header towards the net. This time her shot went over the head of Turley and found the net, giving Saint Francis a 1-0 lead.
 
Saint Francis U outshot CCSU, 10-6, n the first half and Turley continued her strong play and finished with four saves in the half.
 
Looking for the equalizer, Blue Devil freshman and NEC Rookie of the Year Carla Jackson (Glasgow, Scotland/Dalziel High School) manufactured CCSU's best chance with a shot in the 64th minute that grazed off the crossbar.
 
In the 67th minute, Saint Francis tacked on an insurance goal when McGhee, a member of the NEC All-Rookie Team, took a feed from NEC Player of the Year Gabi Morales (Madrid, Spain/Colegio La Inmaculada-Marillac) in the box. McGhee, who established strong position, wheeled, and put the ball in with her left foot.
 
Red Flash rookie Julia Hernan (Pottstown, PA/The Hill School) made four saves in her first NEC championship game appearance. NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. Turley stopped six shots for the Blue Devils.

Suler, who scored the game-winning goal, earned the Tournament MVP Award.
 
With the victory, Saint Francis U also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and will await their opponent. The announcement will be made live on Monday at 4:30 pm on NCAA.com.

NEC Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Sara Suler (SFU) - MVP 
Siobhan Bross (SFU) 
Casey Gallaher (SFU) 
Leah Hardin (SFU)    
Brianna Scaldaferri (CCSU)  
Emily Hogan (CCSU) 
Carla Jackson (CCSU)
Melanie DaSilva (SHU)
Alex Mesropyan (SHU)
Jackson Bennet (FDU)
Amanda Fitzgerald (FDU)