LAKELAND, Fla. – The 24th-ranked Saint Leo women's lacrosse team lost 22-8 on the road against seventh-ranked Florida Southern in its Sunshine State Conference (SSC) opener on Wednesday night.

At the end of the first quarter, the Mocs held a 7-3 lead. The Lions started to fight back at the start of the second frame as junior Emma Hayhurst scored off dish from classmate Maria Palomba. Saint Leo trimmed its deficit to 7-5 at the 12:13-mark as Palomba found the back of the net this time unassisted in a player-up situation. However, Florida Southern were able to grasp a 13-5 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Lion scored a pair of goals, first from sophomore Jana Nuss followed by classmate Sophia Wood. In the fourth, freshman Briana Bellando laced a goal with four minutes remaining in the game.  

Palomba led the Lions with one goal and one assist while Nuss, Hayhhurst, and Bellando each posted a score. Senior Cassidy Passaro tallied an assist while senior Fiona McLaughlin, sophomore Marina Dean, and junior Ava Valenti each recorded goals. Palomba and freshman Abby Richards caused turnovers. Additionally, Dean, freshman Katie Lind and sophomore Jessica Harclerode each grabbed two ground balls.

In the net, Harclerode recorded 11 saves and logged 50 minutes of action.

The Lions return to the field on Saturday, March 23 when they host Montevallo at 1 p.m.