The Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team concluded the 2015 season with a 16-6 win over Northeast Conference visitor Saint Francis University Sunday afternoon on Campus Field.  The Pioneers improve to 7-9 overall and 3-4 in league play, while the Red Flash fall to 3-13 overall and 0-7 in NEC play.

The victory placed SHU in a three-way tie for the final NEC Tournament spot with LIU Brooklyn and Robert Morris.  The Colonials win Sunday over the Blackbirds, coupled with a goals against total of 17 in games versus SHU and LIU gave Robert Morris the final berth via the tiebreaker.

Jesslyn Joseph (Bolton, Mass.) had a career-day for the Pioneers, scoring eight times and handing out an assist in the effort.  Caitlin Delaney (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and Jenna Liljeberg (Wrentham, Mass.) both recorded hat tricks on the afternoon for Sacred Heart.

The Pioneers used two long runs to take control of the game, breaking a 1-1 tie in the first-half with eight unanswered goals.  The Red Flash scored with 34 seconds left in the first half to make the score 9-2 at the break.  Joseph scored 2:43 into the second-half to make the score 10-2, before three unanswered from the Red Flash cut the lead to six, 10-4.  The Pioneers scored the next three goals and six of the last seven to secure the win.

The three Pioneer seniors playing their final collegiate games also all contributed.  Kelly Keenan (Wantagh, N.Y.) made seven saves in 57:13 of action to earn the victory.  Brianna Schussler (Wantagh, N.Y.) had two caused turnovers a goal and a draw control, while Demi Lopez (Wading River, N.Y.) finished with three ground balls and a caused turnover.

Sacred Heart held a 17-11 edge in ground balls, a 35-22 edge in shots and a 12-11 edge in draw controls.  The Pioneers committed only nine turnovers in the game, while forcing eight of the 16 Red Flash miscues. Carly Cavagnaro (Kinnelon,N.J.) minded the SHU net for the final 2:47 and made a save on the lone shot she faced.

Saint Francis received a two-goal effort from Katie Schaaf, while Christina Fini tallied a goal and an assist, as well as two of four Red Flash caused turnovers.  Heather McKee stopped 10 shots, against 14 goals, in 54:37 of action in net.  Elizabeth Henry stopped one shot, against two goals, in playing the final 5:23.