SAINT LEO, Fla. – In a contest that featured five ties and four lead changes, the Saint Leo women's lacrosse team lost in its home-opener against ninth-ranked Flagler in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at University Turf Stadium.

The first quarter featured a back-and-forth battle between Flagler and Saint Leo as both teams scored a pair of goals on eight shot attempts as the score was tied at 2-2 headed into the second. The Saint scored the first two goals of the second frame until the Lions rattled off a trio of goals with each score coming from a different player. First, junior Maria Palomba scored unassisted followed by senior Fiona McLaughlin scoring off a dish from classmate Cassidy Passaro before sophomore found the back of the net off a pass from junior Ava Valenti as the Green and Gold took a 5-4 edge into halftime.

In the start of the third quarter, McLaughlin registered another goal, this time she was assisted by sophomore Jana Nuss to give Saint Leo a 6-4 cushion. Flagler countered with a pair of goals as the game was tied at 6-6 with seven minutes left in the third frame. At the 6:18-mark of the third, Nuss found McLaughlin again for a goal followed by Nuss scoring unassisted as the Lions led by an 8-6 margin. The Saints answered with a score before the end of the third in a man-up opportunity to cut their deficit to 8-7 going into the fourth.

Freshman Briana Bellando scored off a dish from Nuss in man-down situation in the beginning of the fourth, however, Flagler registered four consecutive goals as it led 11-9 with 3:14 remaining in the game. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, Passaro laced a goal to pull the Lions within one score, 11-10, however, Saint Leo did not record a shot attempt in the closing seconds.

The Lions were led by McLaughlin who recorded a hat-trick of goals on five shot attempts while Nuss finished with five total points as she tallied two goals and three assists. Passaro posted a goal and one assist. Additionally, Palomba notched one goal, one assist, five ground balls, three caused turnovers and four draw controls. Defensively, junior Emma Hayhurst grabbed three ground balls, caused a turnover, and recorded a draw control. Sophomore Marina Dean tallied two draw controls, one ground ball, and scored a goal. In the net, sophomore Jessica Harclerode posted eight saves in the complete game effort in addition to four ground balls.

Saint Leo returns to the field on Monday, March 4 as it hosts Seton Hill (Pa.) in a non-conference matchup, scheduled for 7 p.m.