Colleges: No.16 Panthers too much for Lions

No.16 Florida Tech put a serious dent in Saint Leo’s Sunshine State Conference title aspirations as a pair of goals in either half led the Panthers to a 4-2 victory at University Field on Saturday evening.

Both sides had chances early, but it was Kelly Whitaker who gave the Panthers the lead in the 24th minute as she redirected DeeDee Newland’s pass into the net. The Lions hit back in the 38th minute, Sara Macko converting from the spot after Hannah Beard had been brought down in the penalty area, but Florida Tech quickly regained the lead two minutes later, Alyssa Esposito scoring on a first-time shot off a corner.

Newland turned scorer for the Panthers in the 67th minute, finishing off a counter-attack brought forward by Paula Lillsjo after a Lions corner. The Lions would then see defender Dari Alcantara sent off for her second yellow card before Florida Tech added a fourth in the 84th minute through Teresa Brantley.

Beard pulled one goal back for the Lions with less than a minute to play, but are now 1-2-0 in SSC play, After being picked as preseason favorites to win the conference, the Lions face an uphill battle to accomplish that feat.