Spartans to Open Season Against No. 6 Tars
The women's lacrosse team will host Rollins College to kick off the 2016 campaign on Sunday.
TAMPA, Fla. – Entering just its third season of competition, the University of Tampa women's lacrosse team is set to open its 2016 campaign on Sunday, Feb. 7 against No. 6 Rollins College. The Sunshine State Conference matchup is set for a 2 p.m. start at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex.
The Spartans are coming off a 5-11 record from 2015, which saw breakout seasons from All-SSC selections Amanda Voges and Amanda Rom. Voges led UT in both goals and points, finding the net 49 times, adding 13 assists for 62 total points on her sophomore campaign. Rom dazzled during her freshman season, scoring 21 goals while assisting 11 other scores.
Attacker Natalie Carraway posted a team-high 18 assists, feeding the Spartan offense efficiently in her first collegiate season while fellow attacker Emilie Barbosa tallied 19 points and 15 ground balls.
Midfielder Shannon Sweeney returns after ranking second on the team in draw controls (28) her freshman season.
Defensively, senior Amanda Parker returns for her final season of play, a year removed from a strong junior outing. Last season, Parker led the team in ground balls while forcing 18 caused turnovers for the UT squad.
UT added 11 freshmen to bolster the team depth as the Spartans look to build off its current roster.
The Tars of Rollins College enter the contest ranked No. 6 in the IWLCA Division II coaches poll. One of just eight teams to reach the postseason in 2015, Rollins was selected to finish first in the SSC for 2016.
The torrid Tars offense returns top-scorer Tyler Thomas for her senior season. During her 2015 campaign, Thomas totaled 71 goals and six assists, starting all 18 games for Rollins.
Rollins owns the all-time series record with a 0-3 tally, as the Spartans fell to the Tars 24-5 to begin the 2015 season.
Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com or through the new mobile app, UT Front Row, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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