Spartans Secure First SSC Victory in Program History

SAINT LEO, Fla. – In dramatic, golden-goal fashion, the University of Tampa women's lacrosse team won its first Sunshine State Conference contest by defeating Saint Leo University in overtime by an 8-7 score to conclude the regular season on Saturday at University Turf Stadium. 

Freshman Caroline Forester seized an open opportunity after grabbing a rebounded shot to give UT the win with 26 seconds left in the first overtime period.

The Spartans improve to 5-9 overall and 1-3 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Lions drop to 3-10, 0-2 in SSC action.

Freshman Rachel Crawford and sophomore Madison Creech led the scoring as the duo each notched two goals for Tampa. Sophomore Natalie Carraway, junior Amanda Voges and freshmen Allie Popelar and Forester recorded the remaining goals in the 8-7 win over Saint Leo.  Attacker Carraway paved the way in points, totaling three with a pair of assists to combine with her goal.

After surrendering the first goal to Saint Leo, the Spartans rebounded in the opening half to take a 7-3 lead over the hosting Lions.  Voges began the scoring barrage with the first goal for UT before Carraway, Crawford and Creech combined for the other four unanswered goals.  The Lions added a goal to shrink the Spartan lead to 5-2 before Popelar and Creech stretched the margin to 7-3 to end the first stanza.

Tampa dominated on the draw in the opening half, taking 10 of 11 total, with sophomore Amanda Rom leading the way with six.  The UT offense outshot Saint Leo 19 to seven in the opening half.

Saint Leo's defense stifled Tampa for the second half, adding four unanswered goals to knot the score at 7-7 with 5:23 left in regulation.  Neither team would score in the remaining minutes to force overtime.

Freshman Forester scooped up a ground ball after a shot from Crawford was stuffed by the Saint Leo goalie. The midfielder saw an opening in the net and sent the game-winning goal to the top-right corner of the net to secure the win in overtime.

Defensively, Tampa was led by sophomore Emily Stevenson and freshman Abby Coccagna, as the two caused three and two opposing turnovers, respectively.  Defender Coccagna secured a career-high six ground balls.

Goalkeeper Caili Guilday (5-9) earned the win with an even .500 save percentage, totaling seven saves in the overtime victory.  The senior grabbed three ground balls while leading UT to 16-of-19 successful clears.

UT will await seeding for the Sunshine State Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship set to begin on Friday, April 29^th at campus sites.

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