Spartans Fall Short Despite Comeback Efforts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 2 University of Tampa women's lacrosse team drops their first game of the season after falling short on the road to the University of Indianapolis.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 2 University of Tampa 11, No. 7 University of Indianapolis 12 

Records: Tampa (5-1), UIndy (6-0)

Location: American Legion Memorial Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Quarter: The Spartans would fall behind early after four consecutive unanswered goals by the Greyhounds. Tampa would eventually flip the script and go on a run of its own. Gia Colombo, a North Carolina native, would start the scoring off for Tampa a little over midway through the first. The Spartans would continue to rally after another Gia Colombo goal. Allie Peebles would tack on another goal for Tampa which would cut the Indianapolis lead to one. Gia Colombo would later net a hat trick to even the score. The goals for the Spartans were scored as follows:

8:55 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

5:42 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

2:28 - Allie Peebles, assisted by Gia Colombo

:59 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

Score: 4-4 (Tied)

Second Quarter: Tampa would fall behind again early in the second quarter. Sarah Hinkle would respond with 7:24 remaining in the quarter to weather the storm and bring the Spartans within three. The Spartan goals headed into halftime were scored as follows:

7:22 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

Score: 8-5 (UIndy)

Third Quarter: Tampa would jump out early in the third after a Sophi Wrisk goal just thirty seconds in. Emma McLoughlin would score her first of the game after a nice pass from teammate Mekelsey Montgomery. Tampa would continue to trail by three after a hard-fought third quarter. The Spartan goals were scored as follows:

14:30 - Sophi Wrisk, unassisted

11:07 - Emma McLoughlin, assisted by Mekelsey Montgomery

Score: 10-7 (UIndy)

Fourth Quarter: The last quarter started with UIndy getting on the board first. However, momentum began to sway towards Tampa. Cece Colombo would score her first goal of the game to bring the team back within three goals. Two minutes later Wrisk would notch her second goal of the game and the Spartans would continue to battle. With 5:49 left in the final quarter Sarah Hinkle would score off of a beautiful feed from Gracie Colombo to get Tampa one away from tying. The Greyhounds would answer and go back up by two after a free position goal. Tampa would score again but would not be enough to claw back. The Spartan goals for the fourth quarter were scored as follows:

11:05 - Cece Colombo, unassisted

9:05 - Sophi Wrisk, unassisted

5:49 - Sarah Hinkle, assisted by Gracie Colombo

3:24 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

Final: 12-11 (UIndy)

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Gia Colombo led the team in goals after notching a first-quarter hat trick
• Tampa had seven different goal scorers throughout the game

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Tampa was outshot 28-26
• Tampa won more draw controls, 17-9
• Mekelsey Montgomery faced sister Mekayla Montgomery in the matchup
• Tampa has dropped the last two games and falls behind to 1-2 in the series

UP NEXT: Tampa will stay in North Carolina for a matchup on Monday, March 6 with No. 12 Wingate.