Women's Lacrosse Wins First Ever SSC Championship

LAKELAND, Fla. –For the first time in program history, the University of Tampa Spartans have earned the title Sunshine State Conference Champions. The No. 6 Spartans earn this title after upsetting the No. 5 Florida Southern College Moccasins in overtime in the SSC Championship game by a final score of 19-18. Five Spartans earned a spot on the SSC All-Championship team. Carly Vaccaro was named tournament MVP, while Claire Swanson, Caroline Forester, Abby Cocccagna, and Bridget Sutter were named All-SSC Championship team selections. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 6 Tampa Spartans 19, No. 5 Florida Southern Moccasins 18
Records: Tampa (14-3), Florida Southern (16-3)
Location: Barnett Athletic Complex | Lakeland, Fla. 
All-time Series: The Moccasins lead the all-time series over the Spartans 7-2.   
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HOW IT HAPPENED:



1st Half

• The Moccasins were the first team to score in the first minute of the contest. 
• However, Caroline Forester answered with a goal less than a minute later. 
• FSC netted their second off a free position attempt. 
• UT then scored back-to-back goals from Kristyn Staley and Claire Swanson. 
• Southern then scored two more taking the 4-3 advantage. 
• The Spartans responded with a goal from freshman Lizzie Pierpont off the assist by Kayla Kosubinsky.
• UT then took the lead 5-4 with a goal by junior Carly Vaccaro.
• Once again, the Moccasins answered with two more goals regaining the advantage. 
• Rachel Crawford then tied the game at 6 off a free position attempt. 
• With 14:24 left in the first half, FSC scored their last goal of the first period.
• The University of Tampa then went on a seven-goal scoring run. 
• Staley netted the first one off the pass from Maggie Gladden, before Gladden herself earned a goal off a free position attempt. 
• Forster then netted her second of the day off the assist by Kosubinsky. 
• Kosubinsky and Swanson then scored quick back-to-back goals to give Tampa the 12-7 lead. 
• The Spartans final goal of the first half was netted by Forester off the assist by Kosubinsky. 
• Heading into halftime, the Spartans led the Moccasins 13-7. 

2nd Half

• Florida Southern started the second half well rested with two quick goals. 
• Once again, senior captain Caroline Forster was the first Spartan to sink one for UT. 
• FSC then scored three before Carly Vaccaro netted one off the pass by Claire Swanson. 
• Florida Southern then scored three more goals to tie the game at 15. 
• Finally, Tampa took the two-point advantage with goals by Staley and Swanson. 
• Southern tied the game with back-to-back goals from Benedetto. 
• Maggie Gladden scored the Spartans final goal of the period off the free position attempt. 
• With :05 on the clock, the Moccasins tied the game at 18 sending the game into OT. 

OT

• With 2:52 remaining in the SSC Championship, junior Carly Vaccaro sealed the Spartans first ever SSC Championship title with an unassisted goal. 
• The No. 6 University of Tampa Spartans defeated the No. 5 Florida Southern College Moccasins by a final score of 19-18. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Caroline Forester powered the Spartans offense with a whopping four goals. 
• Following Forester's efforts was that of Carly Vaccaro, Claire Swanson, and Kristyn Staley who all earned three goals in the contest. 
• Swanson also stated one assist, a team-high of nine draw controls, two caused turnovers, and four ground balls. 
• Kayla Kosubinsky earned one UT goal in addition to having a team high of four assists. 
• Maggie Gladden had two goals and one assist in the contest. 
• Defensively, Sarah Bell, Alexa Scudillo, Danielle Waters, and Allie Popelar all earned a caused turnover. 
• Abby Coccagna and Allie Popelar each tallied two ground balls. 
• Bridget Sutter played the entire game at goalkeeper for the Spartans. Sutter faced 32 shots and recorded 14 saves. 

UP NEXT: The NCAA DII women's lacrosse selection show will take place on Sunday, May 5^th. The selection show will determine the details of Tampa's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. 

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