LAKELAND, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s soccer team continued to improve their Sunshine State Conference Tournament chances as the Lions capitalized on two Pia Soesemann goals en route to a 2-0 SSC win from FSC’s Barnett Field on Wednesday night.
The junior forward put the Lions on top in the 13th minute with a one-touch shot from the middle of the box after receiving a crossing pass from Malloree Enoch out of the right corner. Enoch had taken a downfield pass from Jasmine Johnson, who put her in position to get the ball where it needed to be.
The score remained 1-0 until Soesemann scored again in the 70th minute, this time with Chrissy Darwell hitting her in stride with a pass down the right flank. With a defender on her hip, Soesemann was able to shoot the ball past goalkeeper Martina Tangen Billing, who had come out to challenge her, and celebrated her 16th goal of the season.
The host Moccasins had several opportunities after that, and nearly scored in the 73rd minute when Kerri-Ann Brown pulled a shot wide as Saint Leo (8-6-1, 3-3-1 SSC) goalkeeper Audrey Bernier-Larose was bearing down on her at the top of the box. Kara Moore had one blocked not long after that, and Adi Alvarado hit a line drive from outside the box that Bernier-Larose saved in the 78th minute. Alvarado had another good look at the goal on a corner kick with 90 seconds to play, but pushed a header just over the bar.
Both teams started the game with the type of intensity expected with playoff spots on the line. The Lions had three corner kicks in the first seven minutes, while Princess Haley had a scoring chance for the Moccasins just four minutes into the game. It was a play that started with a downfield pass by Kristen Vollmer, and continued with Brown battling a Saint Leo defender for possession in the attacking third. Haley ended up with the ball and an opportunity to go one-on-one with Bernier-Larose, but the Lion goalkeeper forced her to shoot wide of the mark.
The Lions withstood the Florida Southern (9-4-2, 5-2 SSC) attack with a defensive effort that included several big plays by Line Pederson in the early stages of the match. She was aided in the back by Aija Bent-Trinder and Francesca Williams, who helped limit Florida Southern to only nine shots, including a season-low two shots on goal.
By halftime, the Lions had an 8-4 advantage in total shots, and each side had five in the second half. Bernier-Larose had two saves to earn her third straight shutout, while Tangen Billing had five for Florida Southern. The Lions also hit the crossbar once when Cassie Barbaresi banged a free kick off the frame just over eight minutes remaining.
The shutout against the Mocs pushes the Lions’ scoreless streak to 315 minutes with the last goal surrendered to Lindsey Wilson at the final moments of the first half. That was 11 days ago.
The final push for positioning in the SSC Tournament comes on Saturday afternoon when the Lions host Nova Southeastern in the regular season’s final game. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
Before the game gets underway, the Lions will honor three seniors beforehand. Senior Day ceremonies for Chrissy Darwell, Courtney Kassab and Kristen Preseault will begin at 4:55 p.m. at University Field on the Saint Leo campus.
Portions courtesy of Tim Carpenter, Florida Southern Assistant Sports Information Director
