ST. AUGUSTINE – Once the 64th minute rolled around, the top-ranked Flagler College women's soccer team rose to another level. The Saints added a little pep to their step, erasing a knotted score — behind a trio of goals within a five-minute window — to give the home team a season-opening 4-1 victory over Saint Leo University at Saints Field Sunday night.
 
"The team was a little frustrated in the first half, but we showed some real quality in the second half," Flagler head coach Ashley Martin said. "Saint Leo worked very hard and was very organized. We are very happy to start with a win, and now we look forward to another tough game on Wednesday."
 
Flagler (1-0) carried a one-score lead into half thanks to a Brin Wexler header in the 23rd minute. She leaped up inside the box, going over the Lion defender to make contact on an impressive ball via Josefine Nilsen from the left side. Then right of out halftime, Saint Leo (0-1-1) matched the score as Nina Mueller used a free kick to connect with Bella Arato in the box as the 46th minute approached.
 
The tie stuck for nearly 20 minutes before Wexler found paydirt again, collecting a rebound and sticking it into the left corner for a lead the Saints would never lose in the 64th minute. The pair of goals hand the midfielder her second career multi-goal game and her first since 2019, where she scored a pair versus Wingate University in the NCAA Southeast Regional championship.
 
"Brin's first goal was a tremendous finish after a great cross from Josefine," Martin said, "and she was in the right place at the right time for her second."
 
Minutes following the lead-taking score, Annie Habeeb took a pass from Shannon Matthaei and added onto it with a brilliant goal way out that curved up and into the top right corner. Then, she did it again to secure her seventh career multi-goal game as she netted a penalty kick —from a foul she drew sprinting into the box threatening to score — to top off Flagler's four-goal victory. Habeeb's two goals were her only two shots on goal as Wexler had the same stat line to lead the Saints' 13-9 shot advantage over Saint Leo, including 10 of those coming in the final 45 minutes.
 
"Habeeb had a huge impact on the game and her first goal was a stunner from distance," Martin said.
 
Outside of the Lions' lone goal, Madison North held the goal down and saw a handful of saves (three total) as she was assisted by her back line, led by Lauren Lannan and Sara Carr. North logged the chunk of minutes before Amit Beilin made her debut with 17:23 minutes played. Also donning the Flagler kit for the first time was Andrea Fernandez and Andrea Mjoesund.
 
Up Next: Flagler will welcome Lynn University for its next non-conference match Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
 
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