Top-Ranked Spartans Set Face No. 8 Pace in Another Top-10 Matchup
TAMPA, Fla. – The top-ranked University of Tampa Spartans welcome No. 8 Pace University. The Spartans remain undefeated this season, riding a 19-game winning streak dating back to last season.
The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa (8-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. No. 8 Pace (5-1, 1-0 NE10)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: Tampa and Pace have only met two times, coming once in each of the last two seasons, and the Setters have won both games by an average of 8.5 goals.
About the Spartans:
Tampa enters this matchup on a roll, securing its eighth win of the season and extending its winning streak to 19 games. The Spartans have now defeated five nationally ranked opponents this year, with three being ranked in the top 10 as they now prepare for No. 8 Pace. Three Tampa players rank in the top 10 of the Sunshine State Conference for goals per game: Peyton Howell with 4.38, Sophi Wrisk with 3.38, and Sarah Engle, with 5.33. On the defensive end, Lexi Waters continues her stellar season, ranking third in the conference with 25 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. In goal, Savvy Barbosa has returned to action after missing three games and currently leads the SSC with a conference-best goals-against average of 5.03 and ranks fourth in save percentage with .417.
About the Mavericks:
Pace University boasts a 5-1 record this season, with its lone loss coming this past weekend against SSC rival Florida Southern in a 20-11 defeat. The Setters were ranked No. 2 in the IWLCA national poll from the preseason through Week 4 but have now dropped to No. 8. Pace, the 2023 national champions, edged out Adelphi in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason coaches poll by just one vote. Pace has dominated unranked opponents, winning by an average of nearly 13 goals per game. However, against ranked competition, the Setters have seen tighter contests, losing to Florida Southern by nine but securing close victories over No. 18 Seton Hill and No. 11 Regis by an average margin of just two goals.