Sarah Hinkle Becomes New Career Leader in Points As The Spartans Gallop Past the Chargers

TAMPA, Fla. – In dominant fashion, the No. 5 Spartans earns another home victory over the Chargers, extending their record to 6-2 for the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The nationally ranked Spartans entered into this matchup high on confidence after a dominant performance against another non-conference foe. While the Chargers netted the first goal of the game, the Spartans responded back with full force. Senior midfielder Sarah Hinkle would open up the floodgates as she netted Tampa's first two goals back-to-back, with one being a solo goal from the free position spot. Three minutes later, after Lexi Waters caused a turnover, Cece Colombo would find the back of the net. Following suit, Peyton Howell would earn a man-up goal alongside Georgia Glowaki who would nab her third goal of the season off a Cece Colombo assist. Leading the match 4-1 and six minutes still left on the game clock for the first quarter, Allie Peebles would be the fifth Spartan to score as she was awarded a free position shot. But, Tampa was not done yet as four different Spartans would get a shot past the Charger's goalie in the span of two minutes. With 26 seconds left, senior attacker Gracie Colombo would push Tampa's lead to 11-1 off a free position goal, making it her first goal of the day. 

The Spartans owned the second quarter as the Chargers were limited to only three shots and denied each time as one was off target and Tampa goalie, Alex Walling, would save two. Jenna Myhal would be the one to kick things off as she scored her first goal of the day from the free position spot and would later earn her second goal in a similar fashion. After earning her sixth hat trick of the season in the previous quarter, Hinkle would net another set of back-to-back goals, with assists from Cece Colombo and Sophi Wrisk. Howell would tally her third goal of the game, making her the second Spartan of the game to earn a hat trick. At the 2:41 mark, freshman midfielder Kaitlin Price would see the field for the second time and net not only her first goal of the game but of the season. Tampa would end the quarter with a 17-1 advantage over Alabama-Huntsville.

Heading back onto the field after the break, the Spartans looked to continue to knock on the Chargers' doorsteps, and that they did. Six consecutive goals by six different Spartans would take place including a goal by  Sophi Wrisk as well as another goal for Gracie Colombo, making it her third goal of the day and second hat trick of the season. Another Spartan to have scored was Peebles, who was assisted by Hinkle. This assist would be the one point to allow Hinkle to become the all-time career leader in points for the Spartans, surpassing former Tampa player Rachel Crawford. Trailing by 23-2, the Chargers would net their second and final goal of the game in the last few seconds of the third quarter. The fourth quarter did not see much action as only two goals were scored by the Spartans from Hinkle and Molly Shapiro, sealing the deal at 25-2. 

Stat of the Game – Sarah Hinkle becomes the new all-time career leader in points for the Tampa Women's Lacrosse program, leading the game in goals with seven and having one assist. 

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• Tampa improves to 6-2 overall on the season.
• Price netted her first goal of the season.
• Hinkle tallied her sixth hat trick of the year in the first quarter. 
• Howell and Gracie Colombo would be additional Spartans to earn a hat trick in this matchup.  
• The Spartans would win 19 ground balls and 22 draw controls.
• UT went 13-14 on clears.
• Coach Kelly Gallagher picked up her 97^th career win.
• Tampa has won four straight.
• The Spartans have now scored 20-plus goals four times this season, double the number of times from a season ago.

UP NEXT – Tampa will have a quick turnaround as they pack their bags to head to the Midwest for a matchup against Indianapolis this Sunday at 12:00 PM.