ST. LEO, FL - The Belmont Abbey women's lacrosse team lost a 9-7 contest this evening against St. Leo University.  The Crusaders dip to 4-4 on the year, while the Lions improve to 4-3.

Senior Katelin Glass was the first to strike for the Abbey, as she scored a goal just 6:46 into the contest to tie the game at one.  Later in the period, Rebecca Luca gave the Abbey a 2-1 lead.  St. Leo notched the score at two with a goal, but junior Caitlin Cook put the Abbey in front again less than a minute later.  Belmont Abbey continued to get good looks at the net, keeping the pressure on the Lions defense.  With 2:33 in the half, Glass scored a man-up goal off a pass from Erin Kunkel to pull the Crusaders within a goal at 5-4, which would be the Lions' lead at halftime.

About four minutes into the second half, Luca scored her second goal of the day to pull the Crusaders within 6-5.  Later in the period, Cook assisted Rebecca Stromberg on two goals in a 1:05 span to even the score at seven.  A free position goal gave St. Leo the lead for good and 9-7 would be the final score.

On the night, four different Crusaders found the net, as Glass, Luca, and Stromberg scored two goals each.  Cook finished with a goal and two assists.  Defender Kassie Easter led the team with three caused turnovers.  Easter and Glass each four grounds balls, a tie for the game's high.  Stromberg won a game-high three draw controls.  Sophomore Annie Brannon made eight saves in goal.

Belmont Abbey will next visit Rollins on Saturday for a 4pm matchup.