Spartans Prepare For Clash Against Knights
TAMPA, Fla. – Two of the top programs in NCAA Division II women's lacrosse will collide in a heavyweight Sunshine State Conference matchup, as the No. 1 ranked University of Tampa Spartans host the No. 6 Lynn Fighting Knights on Saturday for Senior Day and the One Love Game.
The Matchup: No. 1 University of Tampa (13-1, 4-1 SSC) vs. No. 6 Lynn (14-1, 4-1 SSC)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: The Spartans are a perfect 5-0 against the Fighting Knights, dating back to the 2021 season. Although the first three meetings saw Tampa win by an average of more than 10 goals, the two programs met twice last season. The first matchup of 2024 saw the Spartans win on the Knights' home turf by one goal, while the second meeting came in the first round of the postseason, which Tampa reigned victorious yet again by a single goal.
About the Spartans: The reigning national champions enter the weekend as the top team in the nation following a hard-fought 10–9 win over No. 10 Saint Leo on Wednesday. Tampa leads the SSC in scoring at 17.36 goals per game and in shooting percentage at .516, having scored 243 goals on just 471 shots. Offensively, Mary Kate Person continues to grow in her second season as a Spartan, recording her fourth hat trick against Saint Leo and reaching 25 career goals. On the defensive end, Isabella Avila ranks 4th in the SSC with 33 ground balls and 3rd with 25 caused turnovers.
About the Fighting Knights: Ranked as the sixth-best program in the country, the University of Lynn Fighting Knights women's lacrosse team's 14-1 record is currently tied for the best in the Sunshine State Conference. Through their 15 games, Kristyn Johnson has amassed a conference-leading 65 goals which has earned her two SSC Offensive Player of the Week awards. On the defensive end, Rebecca Clark's 56 ground balls and 39 caused turnovers both lead the conference, while goalkeeper Ava Cegilia's .464 save percentage is second only to Tampa's Savvy Barbosa.