Tars Outlast Lions in Back-and-Forth Affair

SAINT LEO, Fla. (April 3, 2021) – Rollins picked up a key Sunshine State Conference victory, defeating Saint Leo 15-13 on the road.  The No. 10 Tars improve to 3-1 on the year, and 3-1 in conference action.  The No. 22 Lions fall to 1-3 overall, and 1-3 is SSC play.
 
The Tars were led by four goals from Caroline Gastoguay.  Marina Longo also netted a hat trick for Rollins.  Abigail Cawley led the team with five total points, including a pair of goals and a game high three assists.  Gabby Tanner started in net for Rollins.  Claire Barber also saw time between the pipes for Rollins, earning the win, while making three stops.
 
The Lions were paced by Fiona McLaughlin, who found the back of the net five times.  Two Lions tied for the team lead with a pair of assists each.  Emma Crafton played the full 60 minutes in net for Saint Leo, making 11 saves while allowing 15 goals against.
 
The Lions would get on the board first, but Taylor Kienle would quickly equalize off the first assist from Abigail Cawley.  The Lions would score the next two goals to jump out to a 3-1 lead, at the 19 minute mark.  The Tars would respond, closing the half on a 5-1 run, to take a 6-4 lead into the break.  Rollins got a pair of free position goals, from Gastonguay and Sammy Ottimo, as well as a pair of goals from Longo, during the streak.
 
Saint Leo opened the second half on a tear, finding the back of the net five times in the first five minutes.  Gastonguay's second score stopped the bleeding for the Tars at the 24 minute mark, and pulled Rollins back within two, at 9-7.  The two teams would trade one goal apiece over the next five minutes, and Rollins entered the final third of the contest trailing 10-8.  The Tars offense then got back on track, as goals from Eden Cooke book-ended five goal Rollins run, over the next 10 minutes, putting the Tars back in control, 13-10.  The Lions would not slip away, however, as the home team netted the next three to draw the tallies level at 13-13.  The Tars would take the lead for good on a perfectly executed play off a Cooke free position attempt.  The senior, facing a severe angle, attacked the net before feeding the sophomore Abigail Cawley on the doorstep for the dunk.  Cawley would be a part of the Tars final insurance goal as well, assisting Gastonguay for her fourth, and icing the game away for Rollins.


 
UP NEXT:
The Tars will stay on the road, traveling to Lakeland for a top-10 matchup against No. 5 Florida Southern.  First draw is set for Friday, April 9, at 5 p.m.
 
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