By Anthony Martinez, Sports Editor
As we move into Thanksgiving and winter break, we also enter into the winter sports season. The beginning of winter sports means the wrap-up of fall sports with some seasons already ending.
Both the men’s and women’s soccer team seasons have officially ended with and both not having the season they had hoped for. The men’s team finished with a record of 3-11-3, but there are always positives to take away from a tough season, especially one right after the COVID-19 season a year ago.
The women’s team had a similar record of 2-12-2 but there are things to look forward to. Goal leader, Nina Mueller, was only a junior this season so she will continue to help the development of the team in the coming year.
Men’s and women’s cross country also finished their season and both ended on a positive note. The men’s team had good performances throughout and finished second in the Sunshine State Conference Championship.
The women’s team also saw great success and won the Sunshine State Conference Championship! After finishing fifth in last year’s conference championship, they made the jump and put on an incredible performance that could potentially be replicated at regionals.
The men’s and women’s golf seasons have a bit of uniqueness to them, where their last invitational was Oct. 26 and their next one won’t be until Feb. 7.
Both teams have had some nice success. The men had three first-place finishes this season and the women placed in the top half with two second-place finishes as well. The teams have had some success and when they pick it back up in February, they look to add to that.
Moving onto fall sports, there are only two sports and four teams involved which does allow for some more specific highlights on each team.
Starting with the women’s swimming team, their season began on Oct. 23 against the 19th ranked team, Florida Southern, who they managed to knock off. The final score was 146-116.
They followed that up with a tri-meet against Florida Tech and 15th ranked Lynn University. They spilt their results, winning against Florida Tech 152-108 but came up short against Lynn 123-138.
What is so encouraging about this season so far was how heavily the COVID-19 season impacted them. Their record that year was 0-6, which was extremely out of character for the swim team, which highlights the effect that COVID-19 had on some teams.
The season before that, they had a record 6-1, a huge difference, and it feels like they’re getting back to that level this season. It is a long season, as the Sunshine State Conference Champion doesn’t take place until Feb. 13. So, time will tell if they’re truly back in form.
The men’s swimming team had their season begin against 10th ranked Florida Southern on Oct. 23 with a score of 75-187. They also had the tri-meet with two split games. They ended with a close one against Florida Tech, wrapping up with 128-131, but later defeated Lynn University 137-125.
Their season has been the exact opposite so far of the women’s team based on who they’ve beat and lost to. That’s not the only similarity though, like the women’s team, the COVID-19 year was very tough on. The men’s team last year finished with a 0-6 record.
The year prior they were 6-1 and like the women’s team, they’ve already shown quick improvement this year compared to the last.
Basketball season is here! Both the men’s and women’s teams are close to their regular season debut. For the women, it starts on Nov. 12 against the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Road games are early but their home opener will take place on Nov. 17 against Flagler College.
A lot of home games will take place for the women’s team, with seven games lined up from Dec. 4 to Jan. 5. This also includes the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel Classic that begins Dec. 17.
Last year’s COVID-19 season was relatively mid with just a 3-3 record. However, the women made it to the Sunshine State Conference Champion semi-finals. So, there is plenty of optimism surrounding this season.
The men’s team last year had an incredible run, not being affected by the circumstances of the season. While they lost the home opener against Tampa, they rattled off seven straight wins, which concluded with a Sunshine State Conference Championship that took place right at home in the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
This season is all about replicating that performance and going even further this year. They seem primed to do it with their top scorers, including graduate students, Rusty Moorer and Frank Weber JR, back this season.
The team sees fresh new talent from newcomers like graduate transfer, Francis Sio, a sophomore transfer, Rob Fry, JUCO transfer, Malik Tyson, and true freshman, Valentino Hart.
There is a lot of hype for the team this season and it all kicks off with the GSC vs SSC challenge on Nov. 12.
With seasons ending, continuing, and now beginning, there are plenty of ongoing sports for Saint Leo University and there should be ongoing support as well for your fellow lions.
