SAINT LEO, Fla. – A first half goal by Pia Soesemann proved to be futile as the Saint Leo women’s soccer team squandered a 1-0 lead and watched as the visiting University of West Florida scored four goals in the final 45 minutes to claim a 4-1 victory in NCAA South Region competition on Sunday afternoon from University Field.

Soesemann had the Lions flying high in the first half when she caught a through ball in the corner of the box from Cassie Barbaresi.  The 36th-minute goal saw the German take it to her foot and slice it into the net for the Saint Leo tally.

The Saint Leo (3-2) back four would hold steady for the first 60 minutes of play, shutting down the Argos’ attack, but it would come unraveled for the Lions in the 61st.

In similar fashion to was happened on Thursday night against Robert Morris, the Lions watched as a speedy Shakira Duncan zipped a goal past the Saint Leo (3-2) keeper in the 61st and, before they had a chance to regroup, saw Jodi-Ann Robinson sneak in behind the defense and slot another goal into the net just two minutes later.

Once the flood gates opened and the West Florida (3-2) offense started clicking, the Lions could do little to stop the scoring.  Alexis Garrand picked up a goal in the 75th and Ann Ilin Osland finished things off the 85th with another tally as the Argos planted four unanswered goals for the victory.

Soeseman and Barbaresi would pick up the only points for the Lions and ‘keeper Audrey Bernier-Larose racked up nine saves in 16 shots.

The road does not get any easier for the Lions as they will now host SSC archrival the University of Tampa on Thursday night.  The Lions and Spartans will get things underway at 7:00 p.m. at University Field.