SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women’s soccer team watched as the University of Tampa redirected a mishandled corner-kick into the back of the goal in the 63rd minute as the visiting Spartans pulled out the 1-0 victory in Sunshine State Conference action on Thursday night from University Field.
The Lions and Spartans played the first 45 minutes trying to figure the other team out. A lot of back-and-forth in the first period saw just three shots toward goal with each team combining for more fouls than total shots.
Starting the second half, it was the Lions who had more chances to put the first tally on the scoreboard. In the first 10 minutes of the half, Saint Leo (3-3, 0-1 SSC) saw a near-wide open chance deflect off the post and another shot corralled by the Tampa ‘keeper.
In working up towards the only goal of the game, the Lions would send a ball past the end line for a Tampa (6-1, 1-0 SSC) corner as the clock turned into the 63rd minute. Tampa’s Dana Palmiotto lofted the ball directly in front of the goal where Saint Leo ‘keeper Audrey Bernier-Larose reached toward the pass. She would get her hands on the ball, but the momentum of the flight would push it through her hands where it met the head of UT’s Samantha Kay, who punched it into the net.
Not allowing themselves to be deflated, the Lions would hit UT ‘keeper Leah Cesanek with a barrage of shots, including three in short fashion that she would save.
Tampa would begin to waste time in the end, and Saint Leo would not be able to find the equalizer as time ran out on the Lions.
Cesanek finished with six saves in earning the clean sheet while Bernier-Larose earn two saves and gave up one goal.
The most eye-popping stat of the night came in the foul totals; with Tampa claiming 18 fouls in a physical match, while the Lions had just four.
Saint Leo will try to rebound from this three-game slide as they travel to Winter Park to face Lenoir-Rhyne University in a neutral-site game at Rollins on Sunday. Game time is scheduled for noon at Cahall-Sandspur Field.
