SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's lacrosse program is set to open the 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. against Rockhurst University under the direction of second year head coach Caitlin Hansen.
 
In 2018, the Lions earned a program best season start showcasing six-straight wins. The Green and Gold closed the year with an 11-6 overall record, going 2-4 in the Sunshine State Conference. In March of 2018, the women's lacrosse program earned its first-ever national ranking by US Lacrosse, naming Saint Leo No. 19 among Division II competition. During the excitement, multiple school records fell in both game and season categories while a handful of career milestones were reached.
 
Saint Leo returns all 2018 top-five points leaders; Leslie Ferguson, Kaylah Walstad, Sabrina Sanacore, Delaney Chrisco, and Lexie Walstad.
 
Leslie Ferguson led the 2018 Lions with 76 points putting away 61 goals and 15 assists in 17 games to become the program's season point record holder, points per game, goals in a season, and goal per game record holder. In the midst of the strong offensive season, Ferguson reset the most goals in a game record with seven goals on Friday, March 12 against Assumption College. Meanwhile, she reached her career 100^th point against Tampa on Wednesday, April 18. Ferguson enters her senior season with 103 total points netting 84 goals, 19 assists with a career .556 shooting percentage, .795 shot on goal percentage.
 
Senior attacker Kaylah Walstad enters 2019 with 91 career points (61 goals, 30 assists) coming off a 47 point (31 goals, 16 assists) year. Her younger sister, Lexie Walstad rounded off last season's top-five point leaders with 32 from 22 goals and 10 assists.
 
Junior attacker Sabrina Sanacore tallied 39 points (28 goals, 11 assists) last season. After two years in the Green and Gold, she has registered 61 career points, scoring 45 goals and 16 assists.
 
Junior midfielder, Delaney Chrisco, added a dynamic depth to the Lion's middies. Chrisco dished out 38 points (34 goals, four assists) while causing 17 turnovers, she picked up 34 ground balls and won 61 draw controls.
 
Sophomore midfielder Sarah Pierson made an immediate impact on the program as a rookie last season. Pierson's 88 draw controls etched a new Saint Leo season record. On her way to topping the season record book, her 10 draw controls against Tusculum on March 7, 2018 reset the most draw controls in a game record. In addition to her work in the center of the field, Pierson tallied 20 points (18 goals, two assists), caused 19 turnovers and picked up 45 ground balls.
 
The young defensive line will be under the direction of junior goalkeeper Erin Davis. Davis started in all 17 games earning a 11-4 record between the pipes. She racked up 116 saves posting a .457 save percentage and 11.64 goals against average. Davis will look to junior transfers Ashley Salvett and Janee Deluca to impact the Lions defensive unit with guidance from senior Neely Regan.  
 
In January, the Saint Leo women's lacrosse team was picked fourth in the 2019 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lions received 22 points, just behind Tampa's 23 points.
 
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.