Kailee O’Brien – Photo Credit: Florida Tech Athletics

The eighth-ranked Florida Southern Moccasins just continue to reload every year and they got off to a good start in 2021, beating No. 21 Florida Tech 17-3  on Saturday, in the Women’s Lacrosse opener for both teams.

Junior Kailee O’Brien scored two of the Panthers’ goals, with the other coming off the stick of sophomore  Kylie Morris.

The Panthers (0-1) were outshot 41-16, with freshman goalie Emily Harris making 10 saves. She was under siege all day long. Brittany Iamele made seven saves in goal for Florida Southern.

Florida Tech also hurt themselves with 15 turnovers. They were 12-of-16 on clears, while FSC was 17-for-18. The Mocs topped the Panthers 18-12 on groundballs and got eight free-position shots to the Panthers four.

Hailey Daleo and Marina Jozokos had four goals each in this one, as the home-standing Mocs’ put this one out of reach early. Daleo got Florida Southern on the board 2:45 in and Kailee O’Brien answered 1:05 later to tie things up.

Florida Southern (1-0) then reeled off 11 straight goals to take a 12-1 lead. Freshman midfielder Krystal Beebe scored twice in a 91-second span during that barrage. 

O’Brien’s second goal of the day came 46 seconds into the second half to make it 12-2. FSC would score five straight before Morris scored the final goal of the game with 5:27 left.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Florida Southern Box Score 

The Panthers will look to rebound when they travel to Lynn on Wednesday, March 24 to take on Lynn in a 6:00 p.m. game.