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STEVE LEEThe Lions come in trying to build on last season's unprecedented success.
ST. LEO - Tony Paris paid his dues with the Saint Leo women's soccer team, trying to recruit players to a fledgling program in 1999 and enduring three losing seasons.
But after last season's turnaround, highlighted by a school-record 12 wins and first playoff berth, Paris thought long and hard about returning for a fifth season.
Fran Reidy, who coached the men's team for 16 seasons, had resigned and Paris interviewed for the vacancy in February. A day after meeting with Reidy, who stayed on as the Division II school's athletic director, Paris did some soul-searching and withdrew his name, paving the way for Joel Harrison to be hired as men's coach.
"I couldn't leave the girls," Paris said.
"They'd done me proud. I owed them a little bit of loyalty."
A recruiting class that includes five Europeans and a revamped defense with former midfielders Sarah Wright and Kristin Stephens moving to the back enabled the Lions to overcome the loss of six seniors.
The European recruits are England's Jane Seedhouse and Jayne Soffe, a transfer from Tusculum (Tenn.) College; Sweden's Sophia Lindorsson and Julia Magunsson; and Iselin Haugen of Norway.
"It's the strongest recruiting class we've had in five years," Paris said, adding that the Europeans "bring a different perspective into the program.
"They're very driven."
Making the Lions even more dangerous is the return of Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year Casie Poyssick, who last season set eight school records including most goals (26) and points (59) in a season.
Poyssick (Land O'Lakes) has earned her reputation as the Lions' go-to scorer but Paris is planning a more balanced attack.
Moving Wright (second in team scoring last season with 18 points) and Stephens (third, 17) to the back will create more scoring chances for the defense and afford greater opportunities for others to contribute.
Freshman Jennifer O'Connor and senior Caron Lumbra (fourth with 15 points last year) are among those players.
Others chipping in offensively, Paris said, "will take some of the pressure off Casie."
Anchoring the defense are returners Maria DeMaio, All-SSC honorable mention last season, and Erin Jansen. Redshirt freshman Amanda Newsome (Pasco) also will get a shot in the back.
Sophomore Katie Stephenson will start between the pipes. As a freshman, she allowed one goal in three games.
"The chemistry this year is the best it's ever been," Paris said. "There's a confidence in this group that hasn't been there in years past."
With seven wins in the program's first 61 games, there was no reason for players to feel confident. A turnaround season did wonders for his players' psyche, Paris said, adding that the team should be aware that opponents surely will be more prepared for the Lions.
"I think we're going to step up, because we have more talent and depth," Paris said. "He team has a winning mentality."