MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Saint Leo women's soccer's pursuit of a Sunshine State Conference tournament crown came up painfully short with a 3-1 loss to second-seeded Rollins College, in Friday's second SSC Women's Soccer Championship Semifinal game at Buccaneer Field on the campus of Barry University.
First Team All-SSC selection Arielle Kabangu logged the Lions' lone scoring strike of the day, finding the back of the Tars' goal in the ninth minute. The sophomore forward was fed the ball by sophomore Katie Waddell, herself a Second Team All-SSC honoree, to knot the game at 1-1. The goal was Kabangu's 17th of the season and the 39th of her career.
The Tars scored what would prove to be the game winner in the 36th minute, with Paxton Sickler scoring off a pass from Brenna McKee to give Rollins a 2-1 lead.
Rollins extended its lead to 3-1 in the third minute of the second half on a strike by Mora Johnson. Emma Bloom was credited with an assist on Johnson's goal.
Bloom was responsible for the game's first goal that gave Rollins a 1-0, when she scored in the game's fourth minute with an assist going to Sickler.
Rollins outshot Saint Leo 26-9 over the course of the game, including a 14-1 advantage in shots on goal. Tars keeper Mary Spring did not record a single save over 90 minutes, while Lions keeper Laura Carstens turned in a standout performance to keep Saint Leo in the game. Carstens charted a career high 11 saves, including seven in the first half alone.
The Tars were awarded eight corner kicks to the Lions' two, and Rollins was whistled offside on four occasions.
The third-seeded Lions, who were making their first SSC tournament semifinal appearance since 2011, fell to 12-5-0 with the loss.
Saint Leo, ranked 17th in the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire Division II coaches' poll, will learn its NCAA tournament fate on Monday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. when the complete NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship bracket is unveiled. The Lions are ranked fourth in the most recent NCAA regional rankings, which were issued by the championship selection committee on Wednesday.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men'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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