Spartans Put Fighting Knights to Rest in OT

BOCA RATON, Fla. The No. 5 University of Tampa Spartans defeated the No. 13 Lynn Fighting Knights, making it the Spartans sixth road win this season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first half saw a lot of back and forth action between the two nationally ranked teams. While the Spartans were the first to get on the scoreboard from a Peyton Howell goal, the Fighting Knights would score back-to-back goals by two different Lynn players to capture the lead. Tampa would respond at the 4:29 mark as Howell would score her second goal of the game to level the score. But Lynn would retake the lead at 3-2 before heading into the second quarter. The Fighting Knights would continue their momentum into the next period as they would extend their advantage from a solo goal. This did not intimidate Tampa as Sophi Wrisk would rip a long shot pass Lynn's goalie to earn a man-up goal. A few moments later, Allie Peebles would find the back of the net off a pass from Cece Colombo to equalize the score at 4-4.

After the break, Alyssa Romano would score a free position goal to give Tampa the lead for the second time. Less than a minute late, Cece Colombo would find Sarah Hinkle on the inside, making it her second assist of the game. At the 9:50 mark, Wrisk would earn herself another goal after finding an opening in the Fighting Knights' defense, giving the Spartans a 7-4 advantage. However, Tampa was not out of the woods yet as Lynn would score three consecutive goals to tie things up. The Spartans would respond as attacker Gracie Colombo would nab her first goal of the day with help from fellow attacker Kaitlin Price to end the period with the lead. 

Following in her sister's footsteps, Cece Colombo would find the back of the net to earn her first goal of the day, extending the Spartan's lead to 9-7 in the fourth quarter. However, the Fighting Knights had other plans in mind as they would tack on two more goals to push the game into overtime. With six minutes added to the game clock for the fifth period, Cece Colombo would win the draw control to give Tampa the position. The Spartans would move the ball quickly around the Fighting Knights' goal, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. That time would come around the 4:20 mark as Lynn player Emily Solomon would draw a foul, giving Tampa a free position attempt. Cece Colombo would be the one to take it and find the back of the net to help the Spartans win the game at 10-9.    

Stat of the Game – Cece Colombo scores game-winning goal from the free position spot, making it her 22nd goal of the season and third consecutive conference win for Tampa. 

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• Tampa earns their fourth conference win and improves to 11-3 overall on the season. 
• Three Spartans would tally two goals in the game.  
• UT went 17-22 on clears.
• The Spartans would cause 9 turnovers and win 17 draw controls. 
• Alex Walling would earn a total of 11 saves.   

UP NEXT – The Spartans will stay on the road as they head to Winter Park to take on the Tars this Saturday at 12:00 PM.