Box Score

LORETTO, Pa. – Senior Kay Tufts recorded her first collegiate hat trick, including the late equalizer and overtime game-winner, to help Radford escape with a 3-2 victory over Saint Francis, Sunday afternoon from DeGol Field.

For the second straight contest Radford (5-1) saw its opponent tally a late go-ahead goal, but this time the Highlanders responded, allowing them to start a season 5-1 for the first time since 1991, tying for the second best start in school history.

Following the Red Flash's (1-5) go-ahead goal on a penalty stroke in the 64th minute, Tufts struck with the equalizer a little over two minutes later (65:59) off a feed from senior Megan Lenhardt.

Midway through the first overtime, Tufts collected her hat trick as she knocked in a cross that deflected off the goalkeeper's pads. It was her second game-winner this year and doubled her scoring output to six goals, a new career high.

Tufts' hat trick is the first since Stephanie McLamb (2005-08) registered one at North Carolina on Sept. 21, 2008.

Radford out shot Saint Francis (Pa.) 13-5 from the second half on and 19-12 overall. The Highlanders also held a significant advantage in corners, 16-6.

Jennifer Wisniewski made five saves in net for the Highlanders, while Katelyn Vitali stopped 10 shots for the Red Flash.

The Red Flash took the early lead on the lone goal of the first half as Rebecca Reiff struck in the 12th minute.

Tufts tied the match in the 49th minute with an assist from junior Melissa Register.

Saint Francis was awarded its stroke when a shot hit a Radford defender on the leg preventing it from going in. Caitlin Brown converted the stroke to give the Red Flash their short-lived lead.

Radford stays on the road next weekend traveling to Louisville, Ky. for a pair of contests against Georgetown on Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19 against host and 11th- ranked Cardinals. Both games begin at 2 p.m.