Saint Francis Explodes in Second Half, Rolls Past Brescia 6-1

The University of Saint Francis women’s soccer team turned a one-goal halftime advantage into a rout Saturday afternoon, scoring five times after the break to defeat Brescia University, 6-1, at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium.

The Cougars improve to 5-3 on the season, with six different players finding the back of the net.

Saint Francis had to wait until late in the opening half to break through. Taylor Keenan opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, finishing a chance set up by Paige McCarley to send the Cougars into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.

The Saint Francis attack then took control after the break.

Evelyn Harkenrider doubled the advantage in the 56th minute off an assist from Hailey Stanforth.

Eight minutes later, Harkenrider turned provider. She assisted Gwen Laurent for the Cougars’ third goal in the 64th minute.

Saint Francis needed just 13 seconds to strike again. Laurent set up Nury Sibri Carmona, who made it 4-0 and completed a devastating two-goal burst.

Brescia finally got on the board in the 78th minute when Ana Victorica scored an unassisted goal, but Saint Francis wasn’t finished.

Haleigh Wesley restored the four-goal advantage in the 81st minute before Grace Hein capped the scoring in the 87th, giving the Cougars the 6-1 victory.

Saint Francis finished with a 17-15 advantage in shots and put 13 attempts on target. Brescia goalkeeper Savannah Jo Barnett made seven saves, while Saint Francis goalkeeper Alexis Pokley turned away nine of Brescia’s 10 shots on goal.

Harkenrider and Laurent each finished with a goal and an assist, while Keenan, Carmona, Wesley and Hein also scored for a balanced Saint Francis attack.

After taking a 1-0 advantage into halftime, the Cougars outscored Brescia 5-1 over the final 45 minutes to put away their fifth victory of the season.