The No. 21-ranked Saint Leo men’s soccer team (6-2, 1-2 SSC) defeated the Florida Southern College Moccasins (5-2-1, 1-2 SSC) by the score of 3-2, Wednesday evening from Barnett Field in Sunshine State Conference action.
The Lions most impressive performance, however, was saved for the final 20 minutes when the group, led by the back four, managed to wipe away a Mocs’ one-man advantage. It is the Lions first come-from-behind win of the season and their fourth-straight win over Florida Southern.
The Lions offense appeared to clicking on all cylinders during the opening moments of the match, as they nearly struck for the first goal of the game within the first three minutes. Despite the initial rally, it was Florida Southern who scored first when Zack Hofstetter gathered a rebound opportunity and put it into the back of the net.
The momentum swung back towards the Lions in the final moments of the first half when Wikner collected a rebound from a near miss off the cross bar. In stride, the sophomore took the rebound and from the top of the area sent a spectacular drive into the upper right part of the net for the equalizer in the 41st- minute.
In a game of extreme momentum shifts, Florida Southern regained control out of the halftime break when Ricky Marton took a long free kick attempt and headed into the goal to push Mocs out in front, 2-1.
In search of their first conference win, Saint Leo did not quit and quickly found themselves pressing the Mocs’ defense in hunt of the game-tying goal. It was a freshman to senior connection that provided the much needed equalizer as Edgar Herrera found Glenn sprinting down the left edge of the penalty area. With the pass on target, the Mocs’ ‘keeper was forced out of the net. At the same time, Glenn provided a clinical end to the play, flicking the ball over the ‘keeper’s outstretched hands and into the net.
The Lions third tally was a mesmerizing one as Cutler found himself alone with the ball on the right edge of the penalty area. From there, the midfielder sent a rocket that ricocheted off the right post over the left post and into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal in the 59th-minute.
With the lead, Saint Leo clamped down on the defensive end until the 70th-minute when the Lions went a man down. It did not matter, however, as the Lions remained a solid unit, especially on the defensive end. The back four of Cody Allen, Eishun Yoshida, Scott Stefanek, and Troy Zellman led the defensive charge, while outstanding ball possession by the midfielders eventually killed the 20-minute penalty and preserved the win.
Lions’ goalie Jake Hirst (5-2) had a stellar night in goal for Saint Leo, making seven saves on nine chances, including two incredible stops late in the second half.
The Lions will return to action on Tuesday, October 5, when they travel back to Lakeland, Fla. for a non-conference showdown with Southeastern University. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.