Lexi Waters Notches First Goal as Tampa Wins Second Straight

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – No. 4 Tampa picks up second straight road win over No. 19 Kutztown.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Spartans entered the matchup as the favorite while looking to end a three-game road stretch on a positive note before heading back to Tampa. Sophi Wrisk would start the scoring off for Tampa after delivering from the free position spot to give UT a 1-0 lead a little over six minutes in. The Golden Bears would respond twenty-six seconds later after Shannon Lake found the back of the net beating goalie, Alex Walling. Senior attacker, Gracie Colombo would net her first goal of the game and 10^th of the season at the 6:30 mark in the first quarter to give Tampa the lead once again. The Spartans would double its lead after Wrisk tallied her second goal of the game putting UT in front. Tampa would end the first quarter leading Kutztown, 3-1.

The second quarter would be filled with goals. The Golden Bears would score the second quarter's first goal to bring the team within one, but the Spartans would go on to score the game's next four goals. Wrisk would score once again from the free position spot, giving her a hat trick on the day and second overall on the season. Gracie Colombo would add herself to the scoresheet for the second time in the game after converting a free position attempt. The Spartans leading goal scorer, Sarah Hinkle would get her first goal of the game with just under five minutes remaining in the second after Cece Colombo notched her 13^th assist on the year. Tampa would continue to convert free position attempts into goals after Allie Peebles tacked on another to put the team up by five heading into the half.

Kutztown's Sam Graf scored just over a minute into the third quarter to give the Golden Bears life, but a Lexi Waters unassisted goal put the Spartans back up five. Water's goal was her first as a Spartan. Kutztown would not go down without a fight scoring the final two goals in the third quarter to bring the team to within three. Maddie Wagner of Kutztown would notch her first goal of the game to start the fourth quarter to bring the Golden Bears within striking distance. However, sophomore, Jenna Myhal would net her first of the game after a feed from Peyton Howell to put the game out of reach. Tampa would go on to defeat Kutztown away from home to end its road stretch with a 2-1 record.

Stat of the Game – Lexi Waters tallied her first career goal as a Spartan and in addition, caused two turnovers and scooped two groundballs.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• Tampa improves to 4-2 overall on the season.
• Waters netted her first goal as a Spartan.
• Wrisk tallied her second hat trick of the year.
• The Spartans scored four free position goals, converting 4-6 attempts.
• Walling moves to 3-1 on the season.
• UT went 20-25 on clears.
• Coach Kelly Gallagher picked up her 95^th career win.

UP NEXT – Tampa will take on Lee at Naimoli Stadium on Monday, March 11 at 4:30 PM.