Spartans Trounce Not So Dandy Lions

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Women's Lacrosse team is heading to the Sunshine State Conference Championship for the seventh time in program history. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first quarter saw instant domination by the Spartans as Sarah Hinkle would rip a shot past the Lions' goalie to secure the first goal of the game. On a new possession, Jenna Myhal would win the draw control and off a fast break, would find Sophi Wrisk to nab a goal. Continuing their momentum, Tampa would score two consecutive, unassisted goals by Georgia Glowaki and Alyssa Romano respectively, giving the Spartans a 4-0 lead. At the 8:01 mark, the Lions would find the back of the net off a goal by Fiona McLaughlin. However, the Spartans were on a roll as Peyton Howell tacked on a solo goal 15 seconds later. Following suit, Gracie Colombo would get the ball and make her way to the inside, finding an opening and earning an unassisted goal. Trailing by 1-6, the Lions would start to build some energy as they would tally three consecutive goals before the end of the first quarter, with two of those netted by McLaughlin. 

Saint Leo carried the momentum from the first quarter into the start of the second as Lion Ava Valenti scored a goal in the top corner to cut the score to a one-goal deficit. With a new possession, Saint Leo would see an opportunity on the horizon as Spartan Isabella Avila would receive a yellow card, but it would be Tampa to seize the moment as Howell would drive her way past the Saint Leo defense and score a man-down goal. Still fighting to stay in the match, the Lions would secure a man-up goal in the final seconds of the penalty. However, in a similar fashion to the first period, Tampa would demonstrate their dominance and go on a six-goal scoring run. This included Gracie Colombo, who tallied half of the six goals netted and became the first Spartan of the day to earn a hat trick. Wrisk was another Spartan who took part in the action and tallied two of the six goals scored, securing herself her fifth hat trick of the season. 

After the break, Wrisk would kick things off as she netted her fourth goal of the game off a Hinkle pass, giving Tampa a 14-6 advantage. The Lions would answer back with two goals of their own, including one scored from the free position spot. At the 7:15 mark, Howell would tally her third goal of the day, making her the third and final Spartan to earn a hat trick. Trailing by seven, Saint Leo would continue to claw their way back in the match as they tacked on two more goals before the end of the period. The fourth quarter started with some back-and-forth action between the two teams as they each looked for opportunities to attack. At the 10:22 mark, Wrisk would net her fifth goal of the day (30th this season) from the free position spot, making her the games leading goal-scorer. The Lions would respond with back-to-back goals by Maria Palomba on the next two possessions, but they would do no harm as Cece Colombo would net her first goal of the day in the final two minutes of the match. The Spartans would win 17-12 against the Lions. 

Stat of the Game – Sarah Hinkle becomes the first Spartan for the Women's Lacrosse program to reach 201 career points. 

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• Tampa is set to make its fourth appearance in the SSC Championship.
• The Spartans improved to a 14-3 overall record this season. 
• Gracie Colombo, Wrisk, and Howell would be the three Spartans to tally a hat trick in the game.  
• UT went 16-20 on clears.
• The Spartans would cause 10 turnovers and win 21 draw controls. 

UP NEXT – The Spartans will start their preparations for the 2024 Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championships that will take place this Sunday.