SAINT LEO, Fla. – The odds were stacked against the Saint Leo University Men's lacrosse team Wednesday night, but the Lions persevered against #9 Tampa before conceding 20-10 at the Naimoli Family Athletic Complex.
 
Junior attacker Guy Bistrow led the Lions (8-5, 3-2 SSC) with a hat trick in just three shot attempts.  Junior mid Michael Flores recorded seven groundballs on the night, as Junior goalkeeper Chase Strait made 10 saves.
 
The Green & Gold got off to a roaring start six seconds into the contest with a goal from Freshman mid Greg Palmer before the Spartans (11-2, 5-1 SSC) reeled off nine, unanswered goals.
 
Down eight goals late in the second quarter, Saint Leo finished the half with three goals before Tampa scored from the draw to start the third quarter to make the score 10-4.  The Lions responded with a pair of goals, scored by Bistrow and Graduate mid Ryan Marek to cut the difference to four at the 12:41 mark.
 
Tampa again tallied a nine-goal streak to push its lead to the largest on the night (19-6) that carried into the fourth quarter.  The Green & Gold added four more scores: a pair from Senior mid Adam Tekman and goals from Bistrow and Senior attacker Justin Williams.  Tampa concluded the night with one more score in the final moments that clinched a 20-10 Sunshine State Conference win over the Lions.
 
Saint Leo is back on the road Saturday, travelling to Winter Park, Fla. to face Rollins.  The first draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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