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Teaneck, NJ – The showdown between Long Island’s leading defense and Saint Francis’ high-flying offense promised to be a struggle.  With a Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Championship at stake, both teams fought for opportunities to upset the delicate balance.  The Red Flash were the first team to do so successfully. Fortunately, on this clear, blue Sunday afternoon it was enough for a 1-0 victory and the program’s first championship title.

The beginning minutes of first half were a seesaw, as both teams applied pressure on offense only to be rejected in the end.  Finally, with 16 minutes left, NEC Player of the Year Tesa McKibben (Cogan Station, PA/Montoursville) blasted a cross intended for Red Flash teammate Barbara Maros de Carvalho (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Sagrado Coraco de Jesus) into a crowded penalty box.  A subtle bounce off a Long Island defender worked to Saint Francis’ advantage as Blackbird goalkeeper Jessica Sexton (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) broke focus in the chaos. The wayward ricochet slipped between the pipes for the Flash lead.

Trying to maintain composure, the Blackbird offense stepped up their hustle.  Midfielder Brittany Shandelmayer (Stow, MA/Nashoba Regional) fired two shots and forward Ariana Calderon (Sacramento, CA/St. Francis) came close with one of her own.  However Red Flash netminder Lauren Fearer (Mount Pleasant, PA/Mount Pleasant Area) was always a step ahead.  The half ended with Long Island outshooting Saint Francis 5-2, but with nothing to show for it.

The second half went along in much of the same way, as Long Island tried to force one through the Red and White barricade.  Shandelmayer was able to fire off four more shots, but Fearer anticipated each Blackbird attempt.

Although the Flash tried the winning combination of Maros de Carvalho and McKibben for a point cushion, in the end all the squad had to do was hold on for the victory.

“We worked so hard for this,” said Saint Francis head coach Brenda van Stralen.  “It just finally came together for us this season.  We were close a few times over the past seven years but had some bad luck with injuries and things like that.  We all knew this would come eventually and here it is.”

Fearer ended the day with six saves and the win.  She withstood a Long Island shot advantage of 13-4.