via press release – photo via SL web site   SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo men’s lacrosse team open the 2017 season with a roar on Friday evening as the Lions took down No. 7 LIU Post, 14-11, to start off all of NCAA DII Lacrosse. In the season-opening game, the Lions used a huge four quarter performance to guide them past the visiting Pioneers. Saint Leo scored three goals over a minute of action, as Kyle Pauwels scored back-to-back goals just ten seconds apart, and Jake Gilmour added the third. Ultimately, the Lions scored six goals between the 14-minute mark and the 10-minute mark to take the lead and never give it up. Pauwels, in his first game for the Green and Gold, led the team with four goals, while three other players also recorded four points. Charlie Kurtenbach added three goals and an assist, while Gilmour and freshman Matt Shand each dished out three assists and added a goal. The Basics Final Score: Saint Leo 14 | #7 LIU Post 11 Location: University Turf Stadium Records: Saint Leo 1-0 | #7 LIU Post 0-1 How It Happened 1Q | Saint Leo jumped out to a 3-1 lead following the season-opening goal for Bruce Preeschl and two Kyle Pauwels goals. However, following an LIU Post timeout, the Pioneers came out and tallied three quick ones to take the lead. They finished the quarter with a goal in the final 30 seconds to wrap up the quarter. | LIU Post 5-3 2Q | The Pioneers opened with their sixth goal after winning the opening face. It wasn’t until the 12-minute mark that the Lions were able to find the back of the net as Josh Kaufling tallied the score off a Matt Shand dish. But the Pioneers tacked on another, taking a three-goal lead. Two Zach Lysyk goals alternated with two Pioneer goals to close out the half. | LIU Post 9-6 3Q | The third period was relatively low scoring as there were only three combined goals. However, Saint Leo was able to cut the lead down to just two goals as Charlie Kurtenbach tallied two in the period. Sophomore goalie Tom Tatarian came alive in the third and made three timely save. | LIU Post 10-8 4Q | The Lions opened up the final quarter with aggressive defense. Despite losing the opening face, the Lions were able to force LIU Post into a turnover, and on that turnover, the Lions were able to convert on a Kyle Pauwels goal. On the ensuing faceoff, quick ball movement down the field saw long stick middie Joe Serrecchia with the ball. Serrecchia found an open Pauwels, who tallied his second goal within 10 seconds. On the next possession, LIU Post won the face, but a turnover gave it back to the Lions. Junior Jake Gilmour was able to rip one home off a pass from Kurtenbach. Just a minute later, Shand, who was dishing dimes all evening, finally got the opportunity to net one of his own. On the next face, the Lions once again claimed possession, and Josh Kaufling ripped a shot from deep and buried one home, fittingly off a pass from Shand. Following a huge save from Tatarian, the Lions ended up with the ball again, and Kurtenbach recorded his third of the evening. Tatarian made a few more important plays, keeping the Pioneers out of the net. At the 3:20 mark, they were able to squeak one by, but it was too little, too late. | Saint Leo 14-11. Points to Note                                         

• Gilmour is just seven assists away from the Saint Leo Career record.
• In his first career start in net, Thomas Tatarian tallied 14 saves on 39 shots.
• Saint Leo caused 11 turnovers, led by Jake Bye who had three.
• Jake Kavanagh led the team with seven ground balls.

Up Next Saint Leo hosts Chowan on Saturday, Feb. 11 in at 1 p.m. game. For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men’s lacrosse team visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.