The Sacred Heart University field hockey team earned its first win of the season, dropping host Saint Francis University 3-2 Sunday afternoon at DeGol Field. The Pioneers improve to 1-1 on the season, splitting its weekend swing to Pennsylvania.

Preseason All-MAAC selection Nichole Tolli tallied her first goal of the year with 6:50 to play in regulation, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving the Pioneers the victory. SHU struck first, with Bridget LaRiccia scoring 3:53 into the contest. The Red Flash drew even midway through the first half.  The Pioneers scored early in the second-half as well, as Allie Brouhard tallied the go-ahead goal at 37:27.  Brianna Govia tied the game for St. Francis at 52:15.

Emily Degennaro earned the win for SHU in goal, making a save and allowing one goal in minding the net in the second-half.  Hailey Power started for the Pioneers, making six saves in her 35 minutes of action.

The Pioneers return to action on September 2, playing at Yale at noon.  The Pioneers home opener comes on Johnson Field on the Yale campus the following afternoon versus Lehigh at 4:30 p.m.

The Scoring

• LaRicca's tally came from a Kelsy Hopkins pass as the Pioneers netted a penalty corner opportunity
• Marielle Cavallaro scored the first goal of the game for the Red Flash, converting a rebound of a Brea Seabrook pass at 23:48
• Brouhard's tally was also a rebound goal, as she collected Makenna Crawford's shot and put it home for a 2-1 Pioneer lead 2:27 into the second half
• Govia scored unassisted for SFU to tie the score 2-2
• Tolli's tally was also unassisted

Noteworthy

• Power made six saves for the second consecutive outing, the first two collegiate games of her career
• SHU outshot SFU 8-2 in the second-half, after a 16-3 advantage for the Red Flash in the first-half
• Saint Francis held an 8-6 edge in penalty corners, but the Pioneers were the only squad to convert a chance
• The Pioneers notched only the sixth win in four seasons for a road team at DeGol Field, with SFU going 19-5 on its home field in that time frame entering today's game
• Tolli and Crawford finished the weekend with three points apiece to lead the SHU offense