MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Saint Leo men's soccer team battled back twice in the second half but ultimately fell 3-2 on the road at Florida Tech Saturday night at Rick Stottler Field in Sunshine State Conference (SSC) action.
The Lions played to a scoreless draw through the opening 45 minutes before all five goals came in the second half.
Florida Tech opened the scoring in the 55th minute for a 1-0 advantage. Saint Leo answered in the 79th minute as junior
Pietro Botasso found the back of the net, with classmate
Virgilio Escala and sophomore
Adrian White providing the assists.
The Panthers regained the lead in the 82nd minute before Saint Leo once again responded, with junior
Martin Foroe leveling the match at 2-2 in the 85th minute. Escala picked up his second assist of the night on the equalizer.
Florida Tech delivered the decisive blow with just 1:23 remaining in regulation. Saint Leo generated one final opportunity, but Escala's shot with 31 seconds remaining was saved by Florida Tech goalkeeper Elias Ronning.
Saint Leo finished the contest with seven shots, putting five on frame, while junior goalkeeper
Vincent Fournier made five saves in goal. Florida Tech held a 20-7 advantage in total shots and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal.
The Lions will return to the pitch on Saturday, September 26 as they host Palm Beach Atlantic in a conference bout, starting at 6 p.m.
