MELBOURNE, Fla. –  The Lions' three-goal opening fourth quarter performance led to a 16-13 final at Florida Tech on Saturday, clinching the Sunshine State Conference regular season title after a perfect 7-0 conference run. Now 13-1, 7-0 in the SSC, Saint Leo will host the SSC Championship Tournament with a nine-game win streak.
 
Anthony Visintin carried the Lions offense with four points from two goals, two assists followed by Jake Gilmour's three goals. Julian Taylor added three points, scoring two goals and one assist. Jordan Williams won 14-of-30 faceoffs for the Green and Gold. Inside the crease, Thomas Tatarian collected 16 saves facing 46 shots, 29 on frame.
 
The Basics
Final Score: #5 Saint Leo Lions 16, #9 Florida Tech 13.
Location: Melbourne, Fla.
Records: SLU (13-1, 6-0 SSC) | FIT (9-5, 6-1 SSC)
 
How It Happened...
1Q | Saint Leo grabbed a two goal advantage in the first 15 minutes of play. Philip Buque and Jack Spera's unassisted goals opened the game 2-0 for the Lions. The Panthers tied it up at two. Jake Gilmour (unassisted) and Julian Taylor, assisted by Jack Spera, regained the two goal cushion. Julian Taylor struck again with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter, this time assisted by Jordan Williams. | Saint Leo 5-3 |
2Q | 11 goals were scored in the second quarter; five by Saint Leo, six by Florida Tech. The quarter displayed a series of runs featuring three by the Panthers, four by the Lions and three to close the half by the Panthers. | Saint Leo 10-9 |
3Q | Only three goals marked the scoreboard in the third. The Panthers scored two goals, posting five consecutive goals, earning their first lead of the game at 12:43, 11-10. Julian Taylor found Daniel Sparks who tallied the equalizer. | Tied 11-11 |
4Q | The Lions continued to hold momentum entering the fourth. Three consecutive unassisted goals from Kyle Pauwels, Matt Shand and Jake Gilmour lifted the Lions 14-11 over the Panthers. The Panthers battled back netting a pair of goals but they couldn't outlast the awakened Lions' offense. Saint Leo drilled two more goals off the sticks of Jake Gilmour (unassisted) and Charlie Kurtnebach, assisted by Anthony Visintin. | Saint Leo 16-13 |
 
Points to Note

• Saint Leo put up 34 shots, placing 28 on frame forcing 12 saves by the Panthers.
• Saint Leo won 14-of-31 faceoffs, picked up 40 ground balls and cleared 20-of-23 attempts.
• Thomas Tatarian displayed another fantastic game in the net earning 16 saves.

For Florida Tech

• Florida Tech took 46 shots, 29 landed on frame forcing Saint Leo to work for 16 saves.
• Florida Tech won 17-of-31 faceoffs, picked up 40 ground balls and cleared 20-of-23 attempts.
• Goalkeeper, Daniel Flock, showcased 12 saves for the Panthers.

 
Up Next
The 2018 Sunshine State Conference Championships will be held at University Turf Stadium on the campus of Saint Leo University next weekend. The Lions will host as the first-seed in the tournament bracket. The SSC will officially release the tournament's schedule and bracket at the end of the day's SSC lacrosse action.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men'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.