Pierpont Leads #9 Tampa Past #20 Saint Leo In Season Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 9 ranked University of Tampa women's lacrosse team took on the #20 Saint Leo Lions in their season home opener. The game was close throughout but a few timely goals by Lizzie Pierpont gave the Spartans their first win of the season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: #9 Tampa 10, #20 Saint Leo 9

Records: Tampa (1-0), Saint Leo (0-1)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic Complex | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF

The first half was all Tampa as Abby Selhorn got things started for the Spartans with the games first goal at the 25:07 mark, assisted by Cece Colombo. The Spartans quickly got things going with another goal coming three minutes later by Riley Coleman, unassisted, to put Tampa up 2-0. Selhorn continued scoring, netting another goal on the assist from Abby Hope a minute later.

The score was 3-0 Tampa with 21:06 to go in the first. At the 17:44 mark Saint Leo scored their first goal of the game to make the game 3-1. Lizzie Pierpont scored her first goal of the season from a free position shot at 14:37 and Hannah Bush scored on the assist from Hope. Saint Leo scored their second goal of the match at the 10:04 mark. The last goal of the half was scored by Hope on the free position shot down a man to give Tampa the 6-2 edge heading into the second half. Score: 6-2 Tampa

SECOND HALF

The Lions roared back in the second half, outscoring Tampa 7-4. The first three goals of the half were scored by Saint Leo at the 29:32, 24:15, and 22:41 marks. Pierpont answered unassisted for Tampa a man down for her second of the game to make the score 7-5. The Lions then scored twice to tie the game 7-7.

The game remained close thereon, as the games next three goals went UT-SLU-UT. Gia Colombo scored unassisted at 8:30 (8-7), Saint Leo again tied the game (8-8), and Pierpont again put Tampa ahead 9-8 for her third goal of the game. The Lions again answered, tying the game 9-9, with 4:34 left.

Pierpoint, as she had seemingly done all game, once again took matters into her own hands and scored the game winner with 1:16 left to give Tampa their first win of the season in their first match in 374 days.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• All four of Lizzie Pierpont's shots found the back of the net, including the game winner.
• UT had four players record two or more ground balls: Cece Colombo (3), Hannah Bush (3), Gia Colombo (2), Genie Santarpio (2), and Erin Sistek (2).
• Abby Hope and C. Colombo each had two assists.
• C. Colombo and G. Colombo led Tampa with two caused turnovers apiece.

UP NEXT: The Spartans host the Rollins College Tars Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.

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