LA CROSSE, Wis. -- A strong second half from the University of St. Francis women's soccer team propelled the Fighting Saints to a 2-1 victory over Viterbo University (Wis.) on Saturday afternoon.  USF tied the game at 1-1 at the start of the period courtesy of a Mia Ocana goal with Kelly Flores adding the cherry topper nine minutes later.  The two scores proved to be the difference in the match as USF improved to 8-2-2 overall, and 5-1-1 in league play.

First Half
The Saints started on the attack early in the first half, putting up their first three shots of the afternoon within the initial eight minutes of the contest.  USF continued to press the remainder of the period, producing a number of threatening drives while earning four more shots before the end of the half, totaling seven attempts for the frame while holding the V-Hawks to six at the intermission.  Viterbo (5-5-0, 4-4-0 CCAC) was able to target USF's goal five times within its six attempts, however, with USF starting keeper Giselle Mata shutting the door on each attempt to keep the scored locked at 0-0 at the break.

Second Half
In the second half, the V-Hawks jumped out to an aggressive start and connected for the first goal of the match just 48 seconds into the period to take the 1-0 lead.  The Saints were not deterred, however, and continued their strong offensive pressure from the first half into the 51st minute with Ocana breaking free to fire a strike past the VU keeper and tie the game at 1-1.  Viterbo responded by resetting its approach, and accounted for three of the next four shot attempts, but St. Francis was the one to connect with Flores using a cross of Ocana to sneak a score into the V-Hawk net with 30 minutes remaining in the contest to lock in the final score at 2-1.

St. Francis took 24 shots as a team in the win, outshining Viterbo, which ended the match with 18 attempts.  Flores took a team-high six shots (three on target) for USF, adding one goal to her new season total of five.  Ocana and Isabel Diez each produced four shots, while Jimena Diaz and Charlene Mendoza each added three.  Ocana's goal was her seventh of the season.  In goal for USF, Giselle Mata made 10 saves, while allowing the one goal.

Up Next
St. Francis will be back at home on Wednesday evening (Oct. 15) to take on Saint Xavier University.  Kickoff for the CCAC contest is slated to begin at 7 pm at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.