HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The #11 Saint Leo University women's lacrosse team opened its Alabama trip with an 18-8 win at #23 UAH on Friday evening. Natalie Jones, Jana Nuss, and Sophia Wood each scored four goals. Saint Leo improves to 4-1 overall in 2026. 
 
Jones, Nuss, and Sophia Wood all led the attack with four goals each. Holly Hill led the team with six points as she had one goal and five assists. Freshman Isabella Gebinine won a team-best seven draw controls. In goal, senior Jessica Harclerode made nine saves for her fourth win of the season. 

#11 SAINT LEO 18, #23 UAH 8
The Chargers struck first at the 12:04 mark, but the Lions answered quickly and took control with five goals in the opening frame. Natalie Jones scored twice during the early response, and Jana Nuss finished a Holly Hill feed as the Lions moved in front. After UAH briefly cut into the margin, Saint Leo closed the quarter with late goals from Sophia Wood and Marina Dean to take a 5-2 lead after one.

Saint Leo broke the game open with a dominant second quarter, outscoring UAH 7-1 to build separation heading into halftime. Sophia Wood scored three times in the period, including a goal set up by Hill, while Nuss added another off a Hill assist. Anna Wood buried a women-up goal midway through the quarter, and the Lions capped the half with two goals in the final 36 seconds, including a Natalie Jones finish and a Holly Hill goal assisted by Nuss. Saint Leo led 12-3 at the break.

UAH opened the second half with an early goal, but Saint Leo responded with steady offense to maintain control. Briana Bellando and Grace DeWitt delivered key finishes, and Nuss added another as the Lions pushed the margin back to double digits. Natalie Jones scored late in the quarter to send Saint Leo into the fourth ahead 16-6.

Saint Leo continued to manage the game in the final 15 minutes. Nuss scored early to extend the lead, and Anna Wood added her second goal of the night off a Holly Hill assist. UAH scored twice in the quarter, including a last-second goal, but the Lions closed out an 18-8 road win.

Inside the Numbers

18 Goals scored by Saint Leo in the victory
7 Consecutive wins to open the season
12 First-half goals by the Lions
3 Goals in the second quarter by Sophia Wood
2 Goals each from Natalie Jones and Anna Wood
6-1 All-time record for Saint Leo against UAH
2 Consecutive wins over the Chargers

UP NEXT
Saint Leo heads to Montevallo on Sunday for a noon match up at the University of Montevallo. The Lions return home for an exhibition game against Neumann at 7 p.m. at University Turf Stadium.