GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Saint Leo women's lacrosse team finished its season-opening weekend road trip with a 14-11 victory at Limestone on Sunday afternoon in non-conference play.

The Saints claimed an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter, however, the Lions scored three consecutive goals as the game was tied 3-3 at the end of the opening frame. Senior Ava Valenti laced the opening goal of the second quarter, assisted by junior Jana Nuss, to give the Green and Gold a 4-3 edge. At the 12:17-mark, Limestone answered with a goal two minutes later, 4-4.

Saint Leo ended the first half on a 2-0 run as junior Sophia Wood and senior Maria Palomba both laced a goal as the Lions grasped a 6-4 lead at intermission. The Saints trimmed their deficit to 6-5 in the opening minute of the third quarter before Palomba, Nuss, and Wood went back-to-back-to-back with goals to extend the Green and Gold lead to 9-5.

Limestone registered the following three goals as it cut the Lions' lead to 9-8. Senior Emma Hayhurst scored an unassisted goal with two minutes left in the third quarter, 10-8. Both Saint Leo and the Saints split six goals in the fourth quarter until Wood sealed the 14-11 win with a goal at the 1:09-mark assisted by junior Holly Hill.

Palomba and Wood each recorded a hat-trick while Nuss finished with a game-high seven points, featuring a pair of goals and five assists as she has surpassed 100 career points with her effort today and sits at 104 career points. Palomba surpassed the 400 draw control career milestone with currently 404 so far while 439 in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) record. Valenti tallied three points with a pair of goals and one assist. Additionally, Hill posted two goals and one assist while Hayhurst and sophomore Natalie Jones  each scored a goal.  In the net, junior Jessica Harclerode tallied 13 saves as she earned the complete-game victory.

The Lions return to action on Saturday, February 15 as they travel to face non-conference foe, Flagler, at 3 p.m.