LORETTO, Pa. — Host Saint Francis University fell 15-11 to George Washington University and 13-7 to No. 22-ranked Harvard University on the first day of a non-conference weekend at home in Stokes Natatorium.
Marialena Seletopoulou (Glyfada, Athens, Greece/Yannopoulos School) and Kelly Fehr (Erie, Pa/Villa Maria Academy) scored seven goals in the two contests to lead the way for the Red Flash.
Against Harvard, five seniors were recognized for their efforts to the second-year Saint Francis program as Argentina Bonilla (Los Angeles, Calif/Birmingham (LA Valley College)), Melani Aghazarian (Glendale, Calif./Glendale (La Valley College)), Lani Merrill (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente (Saddleback College)), Krysta Ponek (Panama City Beach, Fla./Arnold (Utica College)) and Missy McCreary (Altadena, CA/LaSalle (Citrus College)) were honored.
Against George Washington, Saint Francis jumped out to an early advantage against the Colonials on a goal from Seletopoulou. The team finished the first period up 5-4 thanks to contributions by Fehr, Erin O’Neill (Landsdale, Pa/North Penn) and Kelsey Gring (Sinking Spring, Pa/Wilson). However, the devil was in the fine details as Seletopoulou drew two exclusions in the period resulting in the offensive weapon missing the second quarter.
Seletopoulou’s absence proved crucial as the Colonials scored four goals to the Red Flash’s zero conversions in the second period to soar to an 8-5 halftime lead.
Despite third quarter goals from Fehr and McCreary, the Red Flash fell behind 13-7 entering the fourth.
Saint Francis cut the deficit to 13-10 with 2:15 remaining but two quick George Washington goals prevented a comeback as a Fehr tally provided the final score, 15-11.
The contest with Harvard witnessed a packed house as students and fans crammed into every available space to root for the Red Flash.
The players fed off the energy to take a 2-1 lead on a Fehr alley oop shot and a Seletopoulou laser. Harvard tied it up at 2-2 just before the first period concluded.
The two teams traded goals to make the score 4-4. Harvard finished off the second period on a 3-1 run to cement a 7-5 advantage.
In the third quarter, a Fehr goal cut the deficit to 7-6 but the Red Flash would get no closer as Harvard closed the third up 10-7.
The fourth quarter observed many close but not quite good Red Flash shot attempts as the Crimson outscored Saint Francis 3-0 in the final frame to seal a 13-7 victory.
Release courtesy Saint Francis University Athletics Communications
