LAKELAND, Fla. – Saint Leo sophomore Arielle Kabangu scored twice and redshirt freshman Katie Waddell notched the game winner to lead the 19th-ranked Lions to a 4-2 Sunshine State Conference victory over Florida Southern College, Wednesday night at the Florida Southern soccer field.
Saint Leo improved to 10-4-0 overall, 5-2-0 in the SSC, and reached the 10-win mark for the third time in the last four seasons. Florida Southern remained winless in the SSC through seven tries, and tumbled to 4-7-3 overall.
Kabangu got the Lions on the scoreboard in the fifth minute, scoring on a shot inside the box off a pass from Waddell. After Florida Southern's Kirra Rainbow knotted the game at 1-1 in the 27th minute, Kabangu and Waddell again teamed up to strike in the 34th minute and put Saint Leo on top, 2-1.
The Lions' lead lasted into the 43rd minute, when the Mocs' Kristy Legoas again tied things up. Legoas' shot from the top of the box deadlocked the game at 2-2, a score that lasted into the intermission.
Waddell broke the tie for the final time with a goal in the 63rd minute, giving Saint Leo a 3-2 lead. Waddell took the ball into the box and put a shot inside the far post, with assists going to Kabangu and sophomore Genevieve Gignac.
Freshman Rosie Young put an exclamation mark on the victory with her first collegiate goal, extending the Saint Leo lead to 4-2. Young scored on a shot from 10 yards out, off a ball played into the box by Gignac.
Florida Southern dominated the stat sheet in virtually every category, save two: the score, and saves. The Mocs outshot the Lions 13-9, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. Florida Southern had five corner kick opportunities to Saint Leo's two, and the Mocs were whistled offside eight times. The Lions were called offside just twice.
Saint Leo got a stellar performance from junior keeper Laura Carstens, who was called upon to make six saves in the game. Florida Southern's Erin Moseley recorded one save on the five shots she faced.
Saint Leo women's soccer will close out the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 25, when it travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to face Lynn University in an SSC contest. Lions head coach Ged O'Connor will be going after career win 100 in Saturday's game against the Fighting Knights.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's soccer team, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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