MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Saint Leo University women's soccer team dropped a mid week Sunshine State Conference match at 19th-ranked Florida Tech on Wednesday night. The host Panthers used a first half goal to seal the win over the visiting Lions. Saint Leo conceded four second half goals to drop to 1-5-1 overall and 0-2-1 in SSC play.  
 

Saint Leo finished with four total shots and one on target in the road match at Florida Tech. Katja May recorded the Lions' lone shot on goal, while Ainsley Meyer, Annika Schuller, and Katherine Neves each added attempts. Goalkeeper Soley Larusdottir played all 90 minutes in net, collecting five saves. Florida Tech produced 16 shots with 10 on frame and converted five times.

HOW IT HAPPENED: #19 Florida Tech 5, Saint Leo 0

Florida Tech opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Rio Naganawa found the back of the net off a setup from Ellinor Blaasternes. Saint Leo's defense held the Panthers to just one goal through the first 45 minutes behind three saves from Larusdottir.

The second half shifted momentum quickly as the Panthers scored four goals in a 15-minute stretch. Rebecca Storr doubled the lead in the 47th minute before Mia Otero tallied back-to-back goals in the 50th and 51st minutes. Naganawa added her second of the match in the 62nd minute to make it 5-0.

Saint Leo worked to generate opportunities late, with Meyer and May each recording attempts, but the Florida Tech back line limited further chances as the match closed.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Saint Leo was outshot 16-4, including a 10-1 margin in shots on goal

• Katja May registered the Lions' only shot on frame

• Additional attempts came from Ainsley Meyer, Annika Schuller, and Katherine Neves

• Soley Larusdottir made five saves across 90 minutes in net

• Florida Tech held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks

• Both teams finished with nine fouls committed, while Saint Leo was shown one yellow card late

UP NEXT
Saint Leo returns home for a 7 p.m. match against the Sharks of Nova Southeastern on Saturday evening at University Turf Stadium.