Monterde alum Michael Flores 14-20 faceoffs, Lake Mary alum Chase Strait 67% saves

via Saint Leo press release/website, by George Hillen | Manager of Athletic Communications

BOX SCORE

MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – After sophomore Greg Palmer laced a career-best seven goals, the 18th-ranked Saint Leo men’s lacrosse registered a 12-7 victory in a non-conference neutral site contest versus Lincoln Memorial at Berry College in Georgia.

The Lions started hot as they notched a pair of unanswered goals to hold a 2-0 advantage as Palmer found the back of the net off a dish from sophomore Aidan Knoetgen followed by sophomore Isaac Wills scoring off a pass from Palmer. However, the Railsplitters tallied four consecutive goals as they led by a 4-2 margin at the end of the first quarter. Both teams traded the first two goals of the second frame until Palmer recorded two goals to tie the game at 5-5 with less than six minutes remaining in the first half. Lincoln Memorial countered back with an unassisted goal as it led 6-5 at intermission.

In the second half, the Green and Gold were stout on defense as they held the Railsplitters scoreless in the third quarter while scoring twice on offense to grasp a 7-6 edge headed into the final quarter. Saint Leo continued to mount momentum as Palmer scored three of the first four goals for the Lions with sophomore John Raucci registering the other goal to give Saint Leo an 11-6 advantage. Lincoln Memorial scored a goal with less than two minutes left in regulation and then were held without a shot the rest of the game. Palmer once again posted a goal with 17 seconds left in the game as he was assisted by Knoetgen, 12-7

Palmer led the offensive charge for the Lions as he registered seven goals, which ties the program record for second-most goals in a game, in addition to one assist. Raucci recorded a pair of goals, marking his fifth multi-goal game of his career, and one assist. Wills tallied one goal and one assist while sophomore Matthew Cleary and senior Danny Slater each posted a goal. In the net, senior Chase Strait earned the complete-game victory as he tallied 14 saves.

Defensively, senior Leo Dunlap caused four turnovers and picked up two ground balls while senior Jason Curley forced a trio of turnovers with four ground balls. Senior Michael Flores led the team with five ground balls junior Carson Bulger recorded four ground balls.

Saint Leo returns to action on Saturday, March 2 as it hosts Montevallo in a non-conference bout at 11 a.m.