SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University Men's soccer team persevered through another critical South Region showdown Sunday afternoon, as the Lions avenged last year's loss to the University of West Alabama Tigers with a 1-0 victory to improve to 4-0 on the 2022 season.
The Lions (4-0) outshot the Tigers (0-2-1) overall, 10-7. Graduate Goalkeeper
Ricardo Ceballos saw three shots faced, as the United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week made all three saves. Graduate Midfielder
Ander Dulce was the only Lion that registered multiple shots on the day with two.
The first half saw more opportunities for UWA, as the Tigers had five shots compared to just two from the Green & Gold. Nevertheless, Ceballos and the back line fended off another quality attack from the Gulf South Challenge to head into halftime deadlocked 0-0.
Patience paid off for Saint Leo in the second half, as Sophomore Forward
Sebastian Inigo buried a shot in the back right corner of the net for the Miami, Fla. native's second goal of the season, thanks to a cross from Junior Forward
Mauro Diaz in the 54th minute that proved to be all the difference the Lions needed to clinch its third regional win of the season. Unlike the first half, the Green & Gold went on the offensive in Half Two, posting eight shots while limiting the Tigers to just two.
"Today was another hard fought, South Region battle" said Head Coach
Brett Parker. "Our guys did a great job battling the heat and grinding out another win and clean sheet."
Lions by the Numbers
0: Goals allowed
1: Goal scored
3: Regional wins
4: Wins in 2022
6: Shots on goal
9: Players registering shots
10: Total shots
35: Season points
The Green & Gold are back on the pitch Wednesday to face Rollins College in a non-conference fixture, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Men's soccer, 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.
