SAINT LEO, Fla. – The #9 Saint Leo University Men's soccer team created a plethora of scoring chances Wednesday night, but this time the Lions were unable to capitalize, ultimately costing them the contest as the Green & Gold suffered its first defeat of the season to the #22 Rollins College Tars 2-1 at Saint Leo University Soccer Field.
Saint Leo's (4-1) attack was cold in the first half, generating just three shots before heating up in the second half with seven. Of the ten total shots, the Green & Gold only landed two on target. The Tars (4-0-1), on the other hand, were balanced, maintaining six shots per half. Sophomore Forward
Sebastian Inigo led the Lions with three shots, while Graduate Goalkeeper
Ricardo Ceballos recorded four saves on the night.
After an early hiccup allowed Rollins to punch in the first score, the Lions settled down and began creating dangerous chances. The first opportunity of the night came in the 22nd minute, as Sophomore Forward
Noah Kvifte created a lane through two Tar defenders before the Hvalstad, Norway native's shot went wide. The Blue & Gold, nevertheless, tamed the Lions through intermission to hold its 1-0 lead.
A few adjustments were made in the second half, and the Lions went on the attack. In the 55th minute, the Lions had themselves another critical chance to tie, as Freshman Forward
Felipe Ruiz and the Saint Leo strikers broke down Rollins' back line en route to a two-on-zero breakaway before a mistimed pass allowed the Tars to regroup and get the ball out of their own third.
The Green & Gold saw the equalizer come to fruition in the 69th minute when a corner kick from Junior Midfielder
Alex Mollinedo was headed perfectly by Freshman Midfielder
Anel Crnac into the net for his first career goal.
Unfortunately for Saint Leo, the tie would not last long, as the Tars responded with another goal just two minutes later that would prove to be the game-winner. Ruiz nearly had Rollins' goalkeeper beat when the Montevideo, Uruguay native's cross intended for Kvifte was barely deflected by the keeper.
In the 87th minute, a throw in from Junior Defender
Jared Subarsky to Kvifte ignited another dangerous chance but the missed cross to Sophomore Forward
Luca Tiozzo was unfortunate for the Lions. Rollins finished the final three minutes holding possession to escape the non-conference match with a 2-1 victory.
Lions by the Numbers
1: Goal Scored
2: Shots on target
3: Corner kicks
4: Saves
7: Lions registering shots
10: Total shots
The Lions have no time to lick its wounds, as Saint Leo will host #2 Palm Beach Atlantic Saturday. Kickoff against the Sailfish is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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