DEFIANCE, Ohio - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) women's soccer team kicked off the 2025 season with a 6-0 win over Defiance College on Thursday, August 21. 

Saint Francis took control of the game in the first half, netting three goals while holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless for a 3-0 lead at halftime. The Cougars' first goal of the afternoon came at 33:40 on the clock, when freshman forward Reagan Metel scored for her first collegiate goal, assisted by Taylor Keenan. Grace Hein followed with a goal of her own, quickly followed by senior Haley Roberson to increase Saint Francis's lead. 

The Cougars' offense continued to dominate in the second half as Metel assisted Evelyn Harkenrider, who scored her first goal just ten minutes into the half, making it 4-0. Metel found the back of the net again shortly after, increasing the lead to five. SF's first two goals of the second half were separated by less than a minute. With just under three minutes left in Thursday's match, Mataya James scored her first goal of the season, assisted by Alessia Rroku, to add to the score. Saint Francis limited the Yellow Jackets to just two shots in the second half as the Cougars secured the 6-0 victory.

As a team, Saint Francis took 27 shots, 17 of which landed on goal. Metel led with four shots on goal, followed by Hein and Faith Lewis with two apiece. SF Goalkeepers Alexis Pokley and Rachel Bova combined for the clean sheet, with Pokley coming away with three saves in 45 minutes of action.

Up next, Saint Francis women's soccer (1-0) will host Cleary University on Saturday, August 23, in the Cougars' home opener at 7:00 p.m. 

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 21 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,800 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.