Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. - Lynn University's women's soccer team honored its eight-player senior class in a pre-game ceremony and kept the match close for much of the first half but fell 5-1 to Saint Leo on Saturday afternoon. Senior Kirstie Schults tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the loss. The Fighting Knights fall to 4-10-0 overall and 1-7-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.
A scoreless stalemate was broken in the 35th minute of play by Katie Waddell off a through ball by Arielle Kabangu, putting Saint Leo (11-4-0, 6-2-0 SSC) ahead 1-0. Schults, though, knotted the game almost immediately by using the speed that has made her one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.
Collecting a pass in the midfield from Danielle Paschall, senior Lauren Handley put just enough touch on a pass over the defense towards to the top of the box. Lions' keeper Laura Carstens came running out to clear the ball but Schults beat her to the punch and laced a shot under her arms for her 18th career goal. It was Paschall's first career points while Handley collected her 13th career assist.
Lynn appeared poised to head into the break tied but Saint Leo put all of its players forward on a free kick with 33 seconds to play in the half, including carstens. Saffron Jordan lofted the pass into the air and it was Carstens who came down with the game-winning header to make it 2-1 at the break.
The Lions added three goals in the second half to pull away and end with the 5-1 result.
Making her first career start in goal, Katie Nimitz tallied a career-best seven saves while Carstens earned one save. Abbey Evans entered in the second half and picked up two more saves for Saint Leo.
Lynn outshot Saint Leo 16-15 overall but the Lions held the 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Other seniors honored in addition to Handley and Schults were Meghan Dolan, Amanda Feldstein, Lina Forsman, Linzi Martin, Tatiana Penagos and Keeley Shields
The Fighting Knights close out their season on Tuesday, October 28, against Nova Southeastern at Bobby Campbell Stadium at 7 p.m. Fans can watch the game live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @Lynn_Knights on Twitter and Instagram.
