Mocs Win Season Finale 18-6

The 14th-ranked Moccasins used a second half explosion to defeat Saint Leo 18-6 in the final game of the season Wednesday night at Saint Leo. With the win Florida Southern finished its inaugural season 12-4, while Saint Leo fell to 5-9.

“I’m really proud of our team,” said head coach Kara Reber. “We finished the season strong, had seven players tally over 40 points and as a team over half our goals were assisted.”

Less than five minutes into the game Maureen Cromer picked up a rebound off her own shot and put it home to give the Mocs a 1-0 lead. Minutes later Cromer netted a goal and assisted on another to give the Mocs a 3-0 lead. After Alix Murray scored an unassisted goal to put the Lions on the board, Lorianne Hoover and Danielle LaDuca each netted a goal to give the Mocs a 5-1 lead at halftime.

Florida Southern scored four goals in the first three minutes of the second half, including two by Mara Mason, then Caitlin Chase, Mason, and LaDuca each netted a goal to extend the Mocs' lead to 12-1 with 23:03 left in the game.

The Lions scored three unanswered goals to cut the deficit to 12-4 before Hoover converted a free position shot to give the Mocs a 13-4 advantage. Megan Asper won the ensuing draw control and connected with LaDuca for a goal. Minutes later LaDuca found Mason, who put a well-placed shot past the goalie. The two teams traded goals twice before Hoover found Katie Ferree for the final goal of the contest.

Hoover led the Moccasins' attack with five points, while Mason, LaDuca, Cromer, and Chase tallied four points apiece. Asper picked up six draw controls in the contest.

Melissa Halstead led the Mocs' defense with four caused turnovers and five ground balls. Katie Hammerer and Lindsay Holdway split time in the cage and combined for nine saves.

The Moccasins achieved several milestones during the inaugural season, including being ranked every week since the second poll of the season. The Mocs also defeated #10 Mercyhurst earlier in the season.