Box Score

SAINT LEO, Fla. -- Having part of their fate decided before the game with Florida Tech defeating Florida Southern, the Nova Southeastern University women's soccer team claimed at least a share of the 2010 Sunshine State Conference regular season title before even setting foot on the field. In the driver's seat to claim their first-ever SSC outright championship, the Sharks (9-5-1, 5-2-1 SSC) struggled and fell to the Saint Leo Lions (9-6-1, 4-3-1 SSC) 4-0 on Saturday night to end up co-SSC champs with FIT.

Having won the previous meeting with the Panthers, NSU earned the right to host the Sunshine State Conference women's final four, while also earning a first-round bye. The SSC post season begins on Tuesday, Nov. 2 with the quarterfinal games. The Sharks will host the semifinals and finals on Nov. 5 and 7.

The Lions struck early, striking in the first goal of the match early in the fifth minute. Saint Leo’s Chrissy Darwell struck in a cross, dished out by Pia Soesemann, off the right side of the box for the, 1-0, Lions edge. Jasmine Johnson was also credited with an assist on the goal. Pia Soesemann found the back of the net two more times in the first half, first in the 10th minute of play. Soesemann received a rebound off a deflection from junior keeper Chrissy Hy (Weston, Fla.), chipping the ball over the extended arms of Hy for the 2-0 edge. Soesemann connected again later in the first half, stretching the Lions lead to 3-0 at intermission.

At the half, the Lions edged the Sharks 8-3 in total shots, while also leading in shots-on-goal 4-1. Hy was credited with one save in the first 45 minutes of action.

Following halftime, the Lions continued to press the Sharks back line before putting the match out of reach with Pia Soesemann’s third goal of the match. The Sharks were able to fire three shots late in the regulation, two on target, but were unable to convert.

Saint Leo led the Sharks 14-6 in total shots for the match, while edging NSU 7-3 in shots-on-goal.

Keeper Michelle Fuerst (So., Armonk, N.Y.) entered the match for the Sharks the second time this season following halftime, collecting two saves.