SAINT LEO, Fla. –  A record scoring performance improved the Saint Leo women's lacrosse best season start to six, overtaking Tusculum 24-7 on Wednesday. The Lions' 24 goal game tops the previous most goals scored in a game record at 22, set at Newberry on February 25, 2017. Saint Leo turned in 14 goals in the first half followed by a 10 goal second half produced by 11 different sticks.

Head Coach Caitlin Hansen said, "We had a big day offensively scoring 24 goals from 11 different goal scorers. Leslie Ferguson and Kaylah Walstad continued their hot starts and we saw a big day from Sabrina Sanacore as well. That trio combined for over half of our goals today."
 
 "Sarah Pierson had a strong day on the draw while Delaney Chrisco and Katie Larson really held things down in the midfield, especially on the defensive end of the field. They are both just getting better and better each game, which is enhancing an already solid defensive unit."
 
"Our goal for each game is to hold the opposing team to under 10 goals and we were able to do that again today. I am happy with the outcome and looking forward to Friday's match-up against Assumption," concluded Hansen.

Leslie Ferguson delivered six goals, two assists for eight points going 3-3 in free position shots. She picked up three ground balls and caused a turnover.

Sarah Pierson racked up 10 draw controls and snagged a goal, an assist, two ground balls and a caused turnover.

Sabrina Sanacore and Kaylah Walstad finished with five points apiece. Sanacore scored four goals and an assist. Walstad scored four going 2-2 in free position shots, assisted in one while gaining four caused turnovers and five ground balls.

Erin Davis, Rebecca Halley and Emma Crafton shared the goalkeeping responsibilities. Davis completed the first half with four saves to pick up her sixth win. Halley locked down 19:41 minutes with two saves followed by Crafton seeing 10:19 minutes, earning one save.
 
The Basics
Final Score: Saint Leo Lions 24, Tusculum Pioneers 7
Location: Saint Leo, Fla. | University Turf Stadium
Records: SLU (6-0)| TC (2-6)

How It Happened...
1H | Saint Leo's seven-goal run widened the lead from 2-1 to 9-1. Tusculum's Emily Gleason caught fire posting a hat trick to cut the Lions lead to five. Saint Leo handled the remaining five minutes of the half with five goals, three in man-down positions. | Saint Leo 14-4 |
2H | Saint Leo opened with three consecutive goals, two coming from Lexie Walstad. The Pioneers tallied their fifth goal at 17:38. The Lions answered with a six-goal run from five different players; Leslie Ferguson, Sabrina Sanacore, Kaylah Walstad, Katherine Larson and Neely Regan. Jillian Bontempo's goals were sandwiched between Tusculum's final two unassisted goals. | Saint Leo 24-7 |
 
Points to Note

• Saint Leo set its most goals record to 24 taking 37 total shots, converting 9-10 free position shots and took advantage of 3-4 extra-man opportunities.
• The Lions cleaned up at the draw control collecting 22 led by Sarah Pierson's 10 draw controls.
• Leslie Ferguson scored six goals, two assists raising her season point count to 35.  
• Kaylah Walstad scored four goals going 2-2 in free position shots, assisted in one while gaining four caused turnovers and five ground balls. Likewise, Sabrina Sanacore scored four goals and an assist.
• Erin Davis picked up her sixth win turning in four saves in 30 minutes of action.

For Tusculum

• Tusculum put up 15 shots netting seven.
• The Pioneers won 10 draw controls.
• They were held to 7-16 clear attempts and were only able to convert 1-4 extra-man opportunities and converted only 1-5 free position shots.
• Scoring was led by Emily Gleason with four.
• Kate Pipkin took the loss after collecting ten saves. Kaele Lawless and Brooke Wagner each contributed in protecting the Pioneers' net.

 
Up Next
Saint Leo will showcase another home game on Friday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. hosting the Assusmption College Greyhounds (2-0) from Massachusetts.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's lacrosse, be sure to 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.