WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s soccer team might feel that luck is just not on their side after the final horn sounded in tonight's conference matchup.  The disappointment stems from a 1-0 decision to fifth-ranked Rollins College where the Lions lost on a debatable handball call in their own box in dropping the Sunshine State Conference game on Thursday night.

After fighting through a scoreless first half where the visiting Lions outplayed the host Tars, Saint Leo (4-6-1, 1-3-1 SSC) ‘keeper Audrey Bernier-Larose made some top-notch saves at the beginning of the second half when Rollins (9-1-1, 4-0-1 SSC) came out on fire, putting a number of shots towards the Lions’ goalkeeper.

Holding firm, Bernier-Larose surrendered the game’s only goal in the 61st minute when the Lions were whistled for a hand ball inside their own box.   A hard Rollins shot zipped into the box, deflecting off a Saint Leo defender’s leg and brushing the player’s hand off the deflection.  The referee’s whistle stopped play and Rollins’ Leah Hirsch lined up a penalty that struck true, giving the Tars a 1-0 advantage.

Head Coach Ged O’Connor began to push to get the equalizer, bringing fresh legs off of the bench to try and use the Tars’ fatigue to their advantage, but the Rollins defense, along with goalkeeper Michelle Dillingham kept the Lions off the board.

The best opportunity of the second half, surprisingly enough, came from Bernier-Larose herself as she approached a free kick in the midfield circle in the 65th minute.  Her shot carried the distance of the Rollins half of the field and headed over Dillingham’s arm, but deflected off of the crossbar, as the Lions’ best chance headed away from the goal.

Bernier-Larose earned two saves in the three shots she faced while Dillingham posted the clean sheet behind three saves.

The Lions next opportunity to put themselves back into the win column comes this weekend as Saint Leo returns home to host Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) on Saturday afternoon.  Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at University Field on the Saint Leo campus.