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TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer team exploded for three second-half goals and defeated the reigning Northeast Conference champions, 4-1, to clinch the conference regular season title for the second time in program history. With the win, the Knights improve to 13-4-1 (6-1-1 NEC), while the Red Flash fall to 3-11-5 (3-2-3 NEC).

"I felt it was a well played game where we came out fast. Going up early was huge. You can tell why Saint Francis hsa win in the past as they pressed up hard late in the half and could have tied it up and changed the game." Head Coach Eric Teepe said, "Us getting through that pressure and scoring to go two up allowed us to really open up on attack."
 
It only took 45 seconds for FDU to jump on the board after some early pressure. Kasey Schiavoni (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy), in her final regular season game, fed Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) who found the back of the net for the quick score.
 
The Knights would go on to outshoot the visitors, 13-3, in the first half but neither side could find a goal.
 
Just three minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Katey Arathoon (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's ) pounced on a loose ball in the box for her second goal of the season and what would be the eventual match winner.
 
Connie Lewis (Outer Cove, Newfoundland/Gonzaga ) scored her first goal in three weeks in the 64th minute when she surged into the left side of the box and fired a shot passed the opposing goalkeeper with her left foot.
 
Six minutes later and junior forward Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau) smartly used her head to score the game's fourth. Reigning NEC Co-Player of the Week Carly Tice (Highland Falls, N.Y./James I. O'Neill ) saw her effort smash the crossbar but Rochon was in the right place to place her header into an open net.
 
Saint Francis would pull one back when senior defender Jessica Andrew snuck her free kick into the upper right corner in the 78th minute.
 
The hosts ended up outshooting the Red Flash, 26-6, over the full 90 minutes. Saint Francis goalkeeper Romina Kunze made seven saves, while FDU's Felicia Burr (Bellingham, Mass./Blackstone-Millville ) made three.

"I am very proud of this group as they have worked so hard to achieve this goal. Now we have to get ready to win next weekend." Teepe said.
 
With Wagner defeating Sacred Heart, 1-0, Saint Francis clinched the #4 seed in the NEC Tournament and will return to Teaneck to face FDU in the 11 a.m. semi-final on Friday, Nov. 7. NEC Front Row will have live video broadcasts throughout the weekend.