SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University women's soccer team returned home for just its second home game of the season as it played its eighth game of 2025. Freshman striker Chloe Froese tied the Lions season lead with her second goal of the season as the Green & Gold found the back of the net for the first time in more than four games. Despite dropping the match 4-1 to the thirteenth ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks on Saturday evening at University Turf Stadium the Lions showed improvement with the goal. Saint Leo conceded three first-half goals to drop to 1-6-1 overall and 0-3-1 in SSC play.  

Saint Leo registered eight total shots with three on target in the 4-1 loss to #13 Nova Southeastern. The Lions' lone goal came from Chloe Froese in the 36th minute, ending a four-game scoreless drought and giving the home crowd reason to cheer. Katherine Neves earned the assist on the play, marking her first of the season. Goalkeepers Soley Larusdottir and Emma Guidotti split time in goal, combining for five saves. Guidotti entered in the 32nd minute and posted four stops over the final 58 minutes.

How It Happened
Nova Southeastern opened the scoring in the 23rd minute on a goal from Ella Niemela before Genesis Hernandez doubled the lead two minutes later. The Sharks made it 3-0 in the 31st minute when Sofia Suarez converted off a setup from Hernandez.

Saint Leo answered in front of the home crowd as Froese finished a cross from Neves in the 36th minute to cut the deficit to 3-1, snapping the Lions' scoring drought that spanned more than four games. The goal energized the Green & Gold, who generated three more shots before halftime.

In the second half, Guidotti made several key saves to keep the Lions within reach before Nova Southeastern extended its lead to 4-1 in the 70th minute behind Hernandez's second goal of the match. Despite continued pressure from Ainsley Meyer and Annika Schuller, the Lions were unable to find a second breakthrough.

Inside the Numbers

• Eight total shots for Saint Leo with three on goal, led by Annika Schuller's two on target
• Chloe Froese tied the team lead as she scored her second goal of the season, ending a four-game scoreless stretch for the Lions
• Katherine Neves earned her first assist of the season
• Goalkeepers Soley Larusdottir and Emma Guidotti combined for five saves
• Guidotti played 58:45 and recorded four stops in relief
• Saint Leo earned four corner kicks compared to five for Nova Southeastern

UP NEXT
Saint Leo's homestand continues with a midweek match up hosting the Eckerd College Tritons at at University Turf Stadium at 7 p.m. Wednesday's match will be the team's annual Athletes for Athletes game. Stay tuned to the Saint Leo SAAC (@SaintLeoSAAC) Instagram to see which half your team will be attending.