By: William Burns, Sports Editor
Your Saint Leo women’s soccer team Started off the regular season on Friday sept. 6th. This was Head Coach Peter McGahey’s first regular season game for the Lions, and already he is establishing a championship mentality.
The Lions outplayed Mississippi College, who was ranked no. 13 among the United Coaches Association Division II preseason poll, to the score of 1-0. The Lions only goal was scored in the 26th minute by sophomore Carolina Solis-Deleon as she found the back of the net in the first half, and was assisted by senior Adriana Tirado. The Lions then played tough defense and kept the pressure on to take that lead to the end of the game.
Senior Goalkeeper Julia Ortiz got her 24th start at the position and had seven saves on the night, helped greatly by senior Rebecca Anderson, who played all 90 minutes in the backline. Ortiz had a tough night too, facing down 23 shots on goal from Mississippi, and saving all seven that came in between the pipes. Compared that to Mississippi’s keeper, who faced two shots on goal from the Lions, and let one find the back of the net.
Saint Leo’s Starting IX for Fridays game vs. SouthEastern University. (@saintleomsoc)
The weekend wasn’t over for the Lions, however. They played another contest on Sunday Sept. 8th against West Alabama, who came into the game undefeated at 1-0-0, like the Lions.
Things did not look good for the Lions as the first goal was scored by West Alabama early in the second half. Lions don’t give up though and clawed their way back for a 2-1 comeback win to keep their season perfect at 2-0-0.
West Alabama had the lead for 15 minutes of playing time until Rebecca Anderson bent a corner kick into the back of the net to even it up. It wasn’t until there were four minutes left in regulation that the Lions took the lead.
Raylyn Straubmuller carved up the Tiger’s defense to find Adriana Tirado en route to the game-winning goal. Once again, Ortiz had a great showing, facing 13 shots and getting six saves for the game. The Lions have been out-shot in both games, but high-pressure defense has kept most of those shots outside the net. Another notable performer for the lions was Carolina Solis-Deleon, who had four shots-on-goal for the lions, while wearing down the West Alabama keeper.
Adriana Tirado Sizes up a West Alabama defender. (@saintleowsoc)
Next up for the Lions is the Columbus State tournament in Columbus Georgia from Friday, September 13th through Sunday the 15th. There, the Lions will face Montevallo and Christian Brothers as they try to remain undefeated. Be sure to come out and support the Lions next home game on September 25th, vs. Flagler!
The men’s team had a tougher weekend than women did, starting off the season 0-2. Their first regular season game was September 6th against Southeastern University and was a double-overtime contest that ended in a tough 0-1 loss for the Lions. The game was very even the entire match, with SEU taking 13 shots, six of them on goal, and Leo taking 12 with four on goal. Senior Wessel Berenschot started in between the pipes logging his 10th start at the position. He made five key saves during the match. SEU however, split time between three different keepers.
Head Coach Brett Parker watching his team from the sideline. (@saintleomsoc)
Their second loss came on September 8th at the feet of West Florida. After trailing the first half 0-1, the Lions tied it up with a goal in the 55th minute by Freshman standout Frederico Tellechea on a free-kick. However, West Florida answered twelve minutes later with a goal of their own and held on to win the game with a score of 2-1.
The Lions Starting Squad for Sundays Game vs. West Florida. (@Saintleomsoc)
Senior Christian Evans got the start at keeper for the Lions and recorded six saves during his 90 minutes of work. The Lions were out-shot by seven shots this contest, making it two games in a row that they have been out-shot.
Saint Leo will kick off their home season on September 19th, at 7:00 PM against Pensacola Christian.
