WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—The Palm Beach Atlantic women's soccer squad managed to nearly rally from a pair of two-goal deficits on Saturday night as the team was narrowly beaten by Saint Leo University 3-2. With the loss, PBA dropped to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in Sunshine State Conference play.

Early on, Saint Leo dominated possession but couldn't create any quality scoring chances in the opening half. Despite the lack of promising possession, it was the Sailfish who almost pulled ahead first. 

After earning back-to-back corner kicks, Karina Williams sent a dangerous ball into the box in the 15^th minute. The ball, which was punched out by SLU's keeper, fell to the feet of Kylie Meola at the top of the area. The sophomore fired a promising shot toward goal, but instead found woodwork as the attempt rang off the bar.

Following a relatively physical first half without scoring, both teams began to put the ball into the net in the second 45 minutes. The opening period featured six warnings without a single goal; however, the second half contained five goals.

Saint Leo (4-3-1, 1-0 SSC) jumped out to a 2-0 advantage thanks to a give-and-go and a penalty in the 65^th minute.

From that point on, Palm Beach Atlantic began creating one dangerous opportunity after another in order to get back into the match. The Sailfish, who sent 15 shots toward the Lions' goal in the second half alone, were able to work their way back into the competition late.

Redshirt-junior Kylee Rullo got the Sailfish on the board in the 68^th minute with her first goal of the season. A free kick by Kianna Magner bounced in front of the keeper and was eventually blasted home by Rullo to make it a 2-1 contest.

After the Lions extended their lead to two once more off of a well-worked corner, Rullo edged PBA within a goal with her second of the night. 

Williams played a ball to Rullo on the counterattack in the 83^rd minute. As a Saint Leo defender tried to clear the ball from the attacking third, Rullo won the ball back and fired a shot from 25 yards out over the SLU keeper's head and into the far post side-netting. 

Although the Sailfish registered 19 shots to Saint Leo's nine, PBA's comeback fell short, marking the fifth time in the last six contests with SLU that Palm Beach Atlantic has lost by a single tally. 

With Rullo's brace, she joined Williams, Michaela Boyd and Carrie Jones as the only players with points and multiple goals this year.

The Sailfish will now travel to Tampa on Oct. 5 looking to remain above .500 in conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.