Spartans Set For SSC Opener Against Mocs

Spartans Set For SSC Opener Against Mocs
March 23, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team opens Sunshine State Conference play on Wednesday evening in a top-two showdown against Florida Southern in the Stand As One Game.

The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa (9-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. No. 3 Florida Southern (10-0, 0-0 SSC)

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606

Series History: While Tampa won two meetings against Florida Southern last season, including a key victory in the Sunshine State Conference Championship, the Moccasins still hold a 13-6 all-time advantage in the series, dating back to the 2014 season.

About the Spartans: The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team is coming off a much-needed break after defeating 3 nationally ranked opponents in 6 days, with the last one being a dominating show of force over No. 8 Pace. The Spartans have already tallied 179 goals through just nine games, averaging a conference-best 19.89 goals per game. Savvy Barbosa continued her shutout season with 9 saves against 17 shots from Pace. That performance ranks as the sixth-most saves in a single SSC contest this season. Additionally, Isabella Avila recorded her 19th caused turnover against Pace, which places her with the second most in the conference while also averaging over 2 ground balls a game.

About the Moccasins: Currently ranked as the No. 2 program in the nation, the Florida Southern women's lacrosse team has been in the top 5 of the IWLCA rankings for six straight weeks. The Mocs are a perfect 10-0 so far this season, having defeated five ranked opponents. Florida Southern has recently competed against the same opponents as Tampa, defeating No. 7 UIndy 15-12, No. 2 Pace 20-11, and No. 23 Mercy 12-8. Senior midfielder, Maria Reeves, has garnered much attention this month, having earned not only the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week but, the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week.