Box Score
TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team fell to Northeast Conference leader, Saint Francis PA, 1-0, on Friday, Oct. 19 at University Stadium. The Knights fall to 5-9-3 on the year with a 2-6 mark in the NEC, while the Red Flash improves to 10-4-2 overall with a 7-0 conference record.
A first-half goal was enough to earn the win for Saint Francis, who maintains a perfect record in conference.
The Red Flash took the 1-0 advantage in the 26th minute when Jennifer Brennan received the ball on the right side from a corner kick. Brennan crossed the ball to the far post where Test McKibben fired a shot past FDU keeper, Felicia Burr (Bellingham, Mass./Blackstone-Millville ). It was McKibben's 13 goal of the season; she leads the Northeast Conference.
The Knights' best chance of the first half came in the final seconds. A corner kick by Kasey Schiavoni (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) found freshman Erin Kearns (Goshen, N.Y./Goshen) at the back end of the six-yard box. Kearns fired a shot from close range that was saved by Brianna Butcher before time ran out.
In the first half, Saint Francis outshot FDU, 5-1, with three shots on goal.
The Red Flash maintained their lead through the rest of the game, while adding five more shots in the second half.
In the 60th minute, a corner kick from Schiavoni found Amanda Goulet (Quebec City, Quebec/Shattuck-St. Mary's ) in the box. Goulet headed the ball toward the goal but was off target.
The Knights created several more opportunities in the closing minutes of the half, with runs from freshmen Carly Tice (Highland Falls, N.Y./James I. O'Neill ), Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) and Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau).
Saint Francis led the shot count, 10-3, overall with five shots on goal compared to the Knights' two shots on target.
The Knights return to action next weekend for the final series of the regular season. FDU will face Central Connecticut State on Friday before hosting LIU Brooklyn on Sunday, Oct. 28. Prior to the game against LIU, the Knights' three seniors, Julie Woolridge (St. John's, Newfoundland/Bishops College), Francesca Yaccarine (Freehold, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) and Maria Polombo will be honored.
