SAINT LEO, Fla. – The No. 22 Saint Leo Lions took the No. 6 Tampa Spartans to overtime Wednesday night in University Turf Stadium. Ashlee Wilsynski had a day against the rival, recording a career-high nine points, scoring six goals and three assists. Despite the outstanding efforts, the Lions ended up on the wrong side of the 15-14 overtime decision. The battle contained a tight team shot count with Saint Leo edging Tampa 32-31 while the Spartans placed one more goal on frame than the Lions. Each team recorded11 saves while they each won 15 draw controls, and both tallied 16 clears.
 
Wilsynski took 12 shots, nine of which she placed on frame, and six found the back of the net. The sophomore attacker's nine-point day bested her previous career-high scoring performance with five goals on March 4, 2020 against Seton Hill. In addition, she shattered her six-point record from February 14, 2020 at Lenoir-Rhyne.
 
Off the draw, Ashley Salvett collected seven of the Lions' 15 draw controls.
 
On the other end, Emma Crafton recorded her fourth 11-save game this season, her career high in the cage. Crafton took the loss after 62:26 minutes of action.
 
Records
No. 6 Tampa: 6-1, 5-1 SSC
No. 22 Saint Leo: 3-4, 2-3 SSC
 
How it Happened
Saint Leo earned a one goal lead heading into halftime at 7-6. The three-goal push was the largest run of the first 30 minutes, recorded between the 17^th and 12^th minute marks. Lia Lamendola fueled the offensive burst with back-to-back goals, the first was assisted by Cassidy Passaro, while the second she converted from a free position shot. In the 12^th minute, Wilsynski earned her first goal of the night, assisted by Delaney Chrisco.
 
The Green and Gold put on a show after the halftime break. The Lions strung together another three-goal run to earn their largest lead of the game at 10-6. After each team swapped goals, Tampa returned the favor with its own uninterrupted trio to bring the game back within one, 11-10. Wilsynki found the back of the net a sixth time in the 15^th minute. She then assisted Fiona McLaughlin just 90 seconds later to extend the gap to 13-10. The Spartans and Lions each got on the board one more time to bring the game to 14-11 with six minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Four minutes passed without a goal from either sideline. Tampa's Gia Colombo broke out for three goals in the last 2:22 minutes of regulation to force overtime.
 
McLaughlin snagged the overtime draw but Saint Leo couldn't get a clean shot off as Tampa forced a turnover in front of the cage right as the Lions' shot clock ran out. The Spartans were awarded a free position shot on their offensive end and the sling went high and left. Despite the wide shot, Tampa maintained possession. Tampa was awarded a second chance eight meters away and this time converted the opportunity for the 15-14 overtime final.
 
Up Next
The Lions hit the road on Saturday, April 17 to face the Lynn Fighting Knights in Boca Raton, Fla. The game marks the Green and Gold's final Sunshine State Conference matchup of the season. Following the conference finale, Saint Leo is scheduled for non-conference meetings with Palm Beach Atlantic and No. 7 Florida Southern.
 
 
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.
 
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics is keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe by following a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes having student-athletes tested or screened on a regular basis, traveling in smaller groups, holding competitions without fans in attendance, avoiding overnight trips, and wearing masks when not competing. These safety standards meet those set by the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference President's Council. At Saint Leo University, the COVID-19 Incident Command Team also reviews the teams' safety protocol and monitors adherence on a regular basis.