By Chad Wise, Co-Sports Editor
The first Saint Leo women’s lacrosse Division II game was played Saturday, Feb. 11, but with a disappointing result: a 23-7 loss to nationally-ranked Rollins. Sophomore Stephanie Marran, also of the Lions soccer squad, recorded a hat trick, including the first-ever goal in school history, and freshman Christina Minneci scored two goals in the Lions’ debut.
Rollins (1-0) opened the scoring as Saint Leo (0-1) kept the contest relatively close throughout the first half. Down only 5-3, the Lions let the Tars run away with it, as Rollins led 16-5 at the half. Marran would score her third and final goal of the game during the second half, but with the game out of control, it was one of the only celebratory moments.
Freshman goalkeeper Brittany Millsap stopped 10 of 33 shots in her debut, seeing over 53 minutes of action before sophomore Nicole Sirota-Plotnikov received her opportunity to impress, though did not have any shots to keep out of the net.
Marran led the team in shots with seven, six on goal, and co-led in ground balls with Minneci with four. Freshman Joanna Chadwick had the lone assist for the Lions to go along with a goal of her own.
Saint Leo will host the first-ever Division II women’s home game in program history at University Campus on Friday, Feb. 17 against Lindenwood University before traveling to Catawba College for the away game on Feb. 24.
