By Chad Wise, Staff Writer
Women’s lacrosse may be new at Saint Leo, but the fan support is not lacking. With the advertising of free food and the first home game in the program’s history, over 600 supporters showed up to the new University Field to cheer on the team on Friday, Feb. 17, only to witness a 5-23 drubbing at the hands of the Lindenwood University Lions of Missouri.
Following her hat trick performance against Rollins in the season opener, sophomore Stephanie Marran, scored another four against the visiting Lindenwood, including the first goal scored by a Division-II women’s lacrosse program at Saint Leo University. The goal was also the first from a free position shot.
The celebration was short-lived, however, as Lindenwood scored the next eight goals before junior basketball convert Alyssa Viscomi opened her account for the 2012 season. This happened about halfway through the first half, bringing Saint Leo within seven, before ending the half behind 3-15. Viscomi’s goal was assisted by freshman Alix Murray, the only Saint Leo assist of the game.
Freshman goalkeeper, Brittany Millsap, stopped six of twenty-one shots in the first 40 minutes of the 60 minute game, giving up 15 goals before being replaced by sophomore, Nicole Sirota-Plotnikov, for the final 20 minutes. Sirota-Plotnikov let in eight goals of eight shots.
Lindenwood had five players with at least three goals, including midfielders Kara Cashen with five and Justiene Groothuis with four. Attacker Lexi Crusha had three assists with her three goals.The two Lindenwood goalkeepers saved a combined five of ten Saint Leo shots. Christine Hehmeyer, who played the majority of the game, saved four of seven and Brittany Frankenfeld saved one of three.
Saint Leo women’s lacrosse dropped to 0-2 on the season, as Lindenwood won the first game of its season before losing to Florida Southern on Feb. 19. The Lions continue the inaugural season at Catawba on Feb. 24 and at Limestone on Feb. 26.
