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Saint Leo Women Snap UT's Home Win Streak

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By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 18, 2007

TAMPA - They embraced each other, took pictures, and lingered on the field that had produced so many bad memories for so many years.

Saint Leo's women's soccer team, perennially behind the University of Tampa on both the scoreboard and overall standings, finally defeated the third-ranked team in Division II Wednesday night 1-0 at Pepin Stadium.

The win was the Lions' first in 11 tries all-time against UT, and snapped the Spartans' 34-match home win streak dating to 2003. No. 19 Saint Leo (13-2, 6-1 Sunshine State Conference) can clinch at least a share of the conference title by beating Barry in its final SSC game.

'It's our biggest win ever,' said midfielder Jennifer O'Connor, who scored the lone goal on a penalty kick with a minute to play in the first half.

The goal, resulting from a foul by UT's Ashley Flateland on SLU forward Chrissy Darwell, came after the Spartans (12-2-1, 4-1) dominated the first half in both shots (6-2 for UT) and ball control. The first 39 minutes were played almost entirely on the Lions' end.

'We should have been up by two or three before the PK,' Spartans coach Gerry Lucey said.

During the onslaught, Saint Leo goalkeeper Lauren Hudson fought off three corner kicks and several other scoring chances, making four saves. But with 6:39 to play, she collided with a teammate and fell hard on the turf, injuring her ribs. Play was stopped as she struggled to catch her breath.

Hudson stayed in the match, and after that, the Lions looked like a different team, playing more aggressive on the UT half of the field.

O'Connor's penalty kick went to the top left corner of the net, and froze Spartans keeper Shannon Aitken. It was the SLU senior's first game back since missing most of the season with a concussion.

Hudson went on to finish the shutout, but not without a little luck that had been lacking in the Lions' previous trips to Tampa. With 1:28 left, she dived, got kicked in the head and missed a ball rolling at her. Facing an open net to tie the game, the Spartans' shot floated high and wide, ending their chances to force overtime.

'I was hoping to hear a whistle. I was nervous,' Hudson said. 'I was pretty much thinking, 'What did I just do?'

'Our defense did amazing - everyone played so well as a unit. It was a big team win.'

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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