Saint Leo, Fla. (September 23, 2006) – Asmir Pervan (Sr., Simmern, Germany) scored two goals and added the game-winning assist, as the Saint Leo University men's soccer team (5-4, 1-1 SSC) came away with a hard fought 3-2 win over conference rival Tampa (5-5, 1-3 SSC) on Saturday night.

Saint Leo senior forward Brandon Jones (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) scored his first goal of the season in the 67th minute, which proved to be the eventual game-winner, as Tampa closed to within one goal twice in the match but could never pull even with the Lions.

Pervan scored both of his goals in the first half, as he opened the scoring in the 20th minute firing home his own rebound.  He then doubled the SLU lead just four minutes later when a through ball from Brandon Whitsett (Jr., Palm Harbor, Fla.) put him in a footrace with UT goalkeeper Ryan Thompson.  Pervan got to the ball first midway inside the Tampa half and hit a shot that sailed into the empty net for his eighth goal of the season.

Tampa battled back in the second half and made it a one-goal game in the 52nd minute when Ricardo Cardoso deflected a Ryan Vetzel shot beyond Lions’ goalkeeper Sam Luedke (Jr., Deltona, Fla.).

Saint Leo restored its two-goal lead in the 67th minute with Jones’ strike, which turned into the eventual game-winner.  The striker got on the end of a brilliant ball from Pervan and took a touch before unleashing a drive beyond the reach of Thompson for a 3-1 lead.

The Spartans pulled within a goal again in the 80th minute to make it a frantic finish, but SLU held on for all three points and its first win in the SSC this season.

Saint Leo will continue its SSC schedule on Wednesday night with a trip to Winter Park, Fla. and a match against Rollins College.  The game will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the Internet via the SLU Athletics Audiocast Network.