SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team faced its toughest test of the year as they went on the road tonight to face No. 9 ranked Saint Leo. The No. 2 ranked Sailfish conceded the first goal in the first half but were able to score twice in the final seven minutes to earn the 2-1 win. The victory takes the 'Fish to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.

In PBA's biggest matchup of the year so far, the Lions started out on the front foot as they possessed the majority of the ball in the opening ten minutes of play. However, they never really created many chances and the Sailfish began to take control. Fred Ferreira and Federico Serra had shots saved early on and were the lone chances for the 'Fish.

The first goal came in the 32nd minute from the home side as they were awarded a penalty when the referee said Orion McHugh held a Lion on a set piece. Sailfish keeper Guillermo Falo guessed the right way but the shot still found its way past him for the goal. PBA outshot the Lions 4-2 in shots on target in the half, but they trailed going into the half.

In the second half of play, it appeared the field was tilted as it was all Sailfish. The Lions won multiple games 1-0 early on in the year and it looked like they were trying to do the same as PBA had the majority of the possession. They turned that possession into ten shots while the Lions had just four in the second half. It seemed like the goal wasn't going to come for PBA but Federico Serra was brought down in the box and the Sailfish were awarded a penalty of their own in the 83rd minute. Serra sent the goalie the wrong way and scored his first goal of the season to tie the game 1-1. 

The 'Fish weren't done scoring late as Serra drove up the field with the ball. As he entered the left side of the box, he squared a ball to a trailing Harry Gardner whose third goal of the year secured the victory for PBA. 12 of 15 PBA shots were on target on the night while Falo was forced to make just three saves on the night.

After the huge road victory, the Sailfish return home to the friendly confines of the Rinker Athletic Campus for their next two conference games. They will host Barry on Sep. 14 and Embry-Riddle on Sep. 17.