The Saint Leo men’s soccer team (2-1) controlled the scoreboard in the first half, but a pair of West Florida second half tallies eventually upended the upstart Lions, dropping a 2-1 decision to the 17th-ranked University of West Florida Argonauts, Friday evening from the UWF Soccer Complex.
A fairly even, but very physical first half saw the visitors from Saint Leo score the first opening of the game, as they connected on their first set piece of the season. Asher used a pinpoint pass from the corner box area to a leaping Glenn who found the back of the net for the second time this year.
The game remained scoreless over the next 18 minutes. However, the Argos tied the game up at one goal apiece in the 57th minute on a header off a free kick. The goal was the first point against the SLU defense all season. With the score tied, the two teams exchanged opportunities until the Argos struck for the second and final time in the 83rd minute. One of the Lions’ 13 fouls on the evening resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for the UWF in which they converted to give them a 2-1 lead with seven minutes to play.
Although the SLU offense continued to press forward, the late UWF goal proved to be too much, as Saint Leo dropped their first game of the 2009 campaign.
Erik Mozzo (2-1), the reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week, suffered his first loss in net for the Lions. He made four saves in 90 minutes worth of action.
The Lions were outshot on the evening, 16-10 and the two squads combined for 28 fouls and five cautions.
The next scheduled men’s game was to be on Sunday, September 6 at 1:30 pm against Delta State. That contest has been canceled due to extenuating circumstances surrounding the SLU women’s team and problems that prevented Delta State’s men’s from traveling. However, the men will travel to Americus, Ga. next Friday, September 11 for a 4:00 pm contest against Georgia Southwestern State University.