Spartans Complete Astonishing Comeback to Win SSC Championship

TAMPA, FL. – The No.3 University of Tampa women's lacrosse team win SSC Tournament Championship in an intense overtime matchup against No.4 Florida Southern.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No.3 University of Tampa 17, No.4 Florida Southern 16

Records: Tampa (17-2, 9-0 SSC), FSC (16-3, 6-1 SSC)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Fl

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Quarter: The game opened with Tampa getting on the board first with a goal from Olivia Mott. Florida Southern wasted no time tying the game with 13:01 left in the first. The intensity was high as the two conference foes went toe to toe. Florida Southern then went on a little run scoring five unanswered points putting them up by four at the end of the first. The goals for the Spartans were scored as follows:

14:10 - Olivia Mott, assisted by Sophi Wrisk

Score: 1-5 (FSC)

Second Quarter: The second quarter started with the first shot-on-goal attempt by Tampa being saved. The first few minutes of the game were slow as both teams looked to gather momentum. Florida Southern kept the ball rolling taking a seven-point lead at one moment. Tampa attempted to come back scoring three goals this quarter to put them within six at halftime. The Spartan goals headed into halftime were scored as follows:

6:11 - Sophi Wrisk, unassisted

2:09 - Riley McGettigan, assisted by Emma McLoughlin

1:33 - Riley McGettigan, assisted by Jenna Myhal

Score: 4-10 (Tampa)

Third Quarter: The third quarter began with Tampa getting on the board first as they look to chip away at Florida Southern's lead. Florida Southern wasn't going down easily as they responded with a goal of their own. From here, all momentum swayed toward Tampa as they scored 10 unanswered points forcing Florida Southern to change goalies and putting their lead in jeopardy. A goal from Mott ties the game at 13 and another goal from Lizzie Pierpont gives Tampa their first lead of the game since going up 1-0 in the first quarter. Florida Southern stopped Tampa's scoring streak with a goal of their own, but it wasn't enough to put out Tampa's fire. The Spartan's goals were scored as follows:

13:07 - Olivia Mott, unanswered

11:39 - Jenna Myhal, unassisted

11:03 - Jenna Myhal, unassisted

10:29 - Emma McLoughlin, assisted by Gia Colombo

6:45 - Sarah Hinkle, assisted by Riley McGettigan

6:26 - Allie Peebles, assisted by Sarah Hinkle

4:34 - Cece Colombo, unassisted

3:47 - Olivia Mott, unassisted

3:22 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Cece Colombo

2:25 - Jenna Myhal, unassisted

Score: 14-13 (Tampa)

Fourth Quarter: The fourth quarter started with Florida Southern regaining their power and getting the scoring started tying the game at 14 with 14:30 left in the fourth. Tampa responds with a goal from Sarah Hinkle. Another goal from Emma McLoughlin puts Tampa up 16-15. Florida Southern comes back, scoring with 4:33 left tying the game again at 16. It was a standstill from here, as both team's defense was strong preventing either side from scoring before the closing seconds of the quarter forcing the matchup to go into overtime. The Spartan goals for the fourth quarter were scored as follows:

13:37 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

9:12 - Emma McLoughlin, assisted by Jenna Myhal

Final: 16-16 (Tie)

Overtime: Overtime began with Tampa getting the ball first slowing the pace down and setting up their offense. This worked out as Pierpont scored with 1:49 left in overtime to help Tampa secure the SSC Championship Title. The Spartan goals for overtime were scored as follows:

1:49 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Riley McGettigan

Score: 17-16 (Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Olivia Mott and Jenna Myhal led the team with a hattrick
• Lizzie Pierpont, Sarah Hinkle, Emma McLoughlin, and Riley McGettigan finished with two goals apiece
• Jenna Myhal and Riley McGettigan led the team with two assists a piece
• Cece Colombo and Dani Waters led the team scooping up four groundballs each, Lizzie Pierpont and Sarah Hinkle were right behind with three each
• Riley McGettigan led the team winning nine draw controls

BEYOND THE BOX:

• This is the Spartan's first SSC Championship since 2019 putting them at 2-1 in the finals
• Riley McGettigan set a new season high with her nine-draw controls
• Jenna Myhal set a season-high with her hattrick and two assists
• This game marks the largest deficit the Spartans have come back from in program history

UP NEXT: The Spartans will begin Regionals for the NCAA Tournament on May 12.