SAINT LEO, Fla. – The regular season finale for #8 Saint Leo University women's lacrosse featured a plethora of excited moments as records fell and milestones were reach. The Lions closed out the regular season with a 21-11 win over #18 Rollins on Tuesday evening at the University Turf Stadium. Saint Leo closed out the regular season with a 12-5 overall record and 3-4 in SSC play, while Rollins falls to 8-8 overall and 1-5 in league play.
 
With her second assist on the night, junior Jana Nuss set a new program single-season record for assists bringing her season total to 29 assists. Nuss passed Meghan Bomleny, who recorded 27 assists during the 2022 season. Senior Maria Palomba became the first Sunshine State Conference women's lacrosse player to reach the 500-career draw mark. Earlier this season the senior from Georgia rewrote the SSC record book for career draw controls. Her 11th draw control on the night gave her number 500 for her career.
 
Offensively, the Lions were led by Hill, who scored a career-high six goals for six points. Nuss followed suit, scoring four goals and recording three assists for seven points. Palomba scored three goals and controlled a team-high 11 draws. Defensively, the Green & Gold were led by Palomba who recorded three groundballs and caused two turnovers. Marina Dean recorded two groundballs and caused a turnover, while sophomore Abby Richards caused two turnovers. In net, junior Jessica Harclerode made 10 saves and recorded three groundballs.
 
#8 SAINT LEO 21, #18 ROLLINS 11
Saint Leo wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. The opening goal was scored 35 seconds in by junior Marina Dean. The Lions controlled the pace of the game as the first quarter went on, with two more goals coming off the sticks of senior Maria Palomba and junior Holly Hill. The visiting Tars found the back of the net twice as the quarter winded down. Saint Leo led by three after the opening quarter following another goal from Hill a goal from senior Clara Gallapoo.
 
Rollins kept Saint Leo at bay for over half the second quarter. The visitors added a pair of goals to get within two by the halfway mark. However, the Lions exploded offensively as the quarter progressed. Hill finished off her hat trick, and later added a fourth goal. Palomba added a second while Nuss added a pair of goals. The Lions were poised a seven-goal lead into halftime after senior Joselyn Storm found the back of the net with 31 seconds left. Rollins had something to say about that as they found the back of the net with four seconds to play.
 
The third quarter was led by Nuss who added a pair of goals as she finished off her hat trick, while sophomore Zoey Lind found the net for her seventh goal of the season. The Tars added a goal early in the quarter, before adding two more after the halfway mark. Saint Leo took control as sophomore Natalie Jones scored shortly before the Palomba scored to finish her hat trick with 28 seconds left, giving Saint Leo a seven-goal lead after three quarters of play.
 
History was made in the opening draw of the fourth quarter. Palomba controlled her eleventh draw of the contest to bring her career total to 500 overall. Hill scored two goals in two minutes to bring the Lion's lead to nine as the quarter progressed. Rollins scored with under eight to play, but Storm and Gallapoo found the back of the net to give Saint Leo a ten-goal lead. The sides traded goals in the final five minutes, but the Lions secured the dominant victory.
 
Offensively, the Lions were led by Hill, who scored a career-high six goals for six points. Nuss followed suit, scoring four goals and recording three assists for seven points. Palomba scored three goals and controlled a team-high 11 draws. Defensively, the Green & Gold were led by Palomba who recorded three groundballs and caused two turnovers. Marina Dean recorded two groundballs and caused a turnover, while sophomore Abby Richards caused two turnovers. In net, junior Jessica Harclerode made 10 saves and recorded three groundballs.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo waits to find out its SSC championship fate. The 2025 Sunshine State Conference championship begins Saturday, April 19, at the higher seed for the quarterfinal round.