Spartans Welcome the North Greenville Crusaders
Tampa women's lacrosse looks to continue their three-game winning streak against NGU.
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 23 University of Tampa women's lacrosse team is set to host the North Greenville University Crusaders on Saturday, March 10th at 12:00 p.m.
The Matchup: University of Tampa (4-2, 1-0 SSC) vs. North Greenville University (6-2, 2-1 CC)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 10th at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Intramural and Athletic Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: The Spartans soared above the Seton Hill Griffins by a final score of 13-11. On offense, five different Spartans each made a significant impact, recording two goals. These Spartans included Kayla Kosubinsky, Claire Swanson, Allie Popelar, Graeme Eber, and Maggie Gladden. Kosubinsky also earned the team's only assist. Defensively, UT was led by Alexa Scudillo who stated six caused turnovers and four ground balls in the matchup. Bridget Sutter played all 60 minutes in the cage for Tampa, logging 11 saves against the Griffins.
About the Spartans: Tampa finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 6-11, 1-3 in the Sunshine State Conference. This season, the squad was selected to finish No. 4 in the SSC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll and looks to improve upon last season with the help of eight new freshmen and two new transfers. The Spartans return all three of their players who earned 2017 SSC all-conference honors. These players include sophomore Claire Swanson, junior Abby Coccagna, and senior Amanda Rom. All three were All SSC second-team selections. Swanson, the Cheyenne, Wyo. native, ended her freshman campaign fourth on the team in goals with 21. Additionally, she had two assists, led the team in draw controls with 44, picked up 26 ground balls, and caused 16 turnovers. This season, Swanson has picked up right where she left off. She leads the team with 10 goals, has 18 draw control wins, five ground balls, and seven caused turnovers. Coccagna, the defensive standout from Baltimore, Md., led the Spartans in their 2017 run with 20 caused turnovers, in addition to stating 25 ground balls, 14 draw controls, and two goals for UT. In the 2018 season, Coccagna has 10 ground balls, two draw control wins, and three caused turnovers. Rom, the Medina, Ohio native led the Spartans in assists last season with 37, was second on the team in draw controls with 33, had 19 goals, and 13 caused turnovers. In her senior campaign, Rom currently has six goals, leads the team in assists with 10, leads the team in draw control wins with 18 (tied with Swanson), has two caused turnovers, and five ground balls.
Due to the team's outstanding performance thus far this season, the Spartans have Snagged the No. 23 rank according to the USILA Coaches Poll. This is also the first time in program history that the Spartans have received a ranking.
About the Crusaders: The Crusaders are currently 6-2 overall, 2-1 in the Conference Carolinas. The biggest offensive threats for the Crusaders are #4 Rachel Kellogg and #7 Hanna Hawkins. Thus far this season, Kellog has 30 goals, six assists, 23 draw control wins, 18 ground balls and six caused turnovers. Behind the offensive efforts of Kellog, Hawkins sits with 16 goals, two assists, five draw control wins, nine ground balls and four caused turnovers. Defensively, the Spartans need to prepare for #11 Monica Colwell and #2 Sydney Taylor. Colwell leads the team in caused turnover with 14 and has 18 ground balls. Taylor has 10 caused turnovers and leads the Crusaders in ground balls with 28. Taylor is the Crusaders starting goalkeeper, having recorded 50 saves this season.
Series History (Women's): This will be the first time in program history that the University of Tampa Spartans will face the North Greenville University Crusaders.
Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.