No.15 Ranked Spartans fall to No. 5 Ranked Florida Southern in Close Contest

LAKELAND, Fla. – The No.15 ranked  University of Tampa Spartans women's lacrosse team suffers a loss to No.5 ranked Florida Southern in a close contest.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Florida Southern Mocs 23, University of Tampa Spartans 19

Records: #15 Tampa (5-6), #5 Florida Southern (9-1)

Location: Berend Field | Lakeland, FL

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Quarter

Florida Southern would capitalize quickly on a Tampa mistake defensively, the Spartans would not waste any time getting back into the game as Sarah Hinkle would get Tampa right back into the game. Both teams would continue to go back and forth in a goal fest of a first quarter. As Alyssa Romano would put Tampa into the lead with seconds remaining in the quarter.

13:55 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

11:12 - Olivia Mott, assisted by Madison Birch

10:47 - Madison Birch, unassisted

9:40 - Julia Kolderman, unassisted

3:14 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

00:49 - Alyssa Romano, unassisted

Score: 6-5 Tampa

Second Quarter

Tampa would concede early to start things off, none of this would phase the Spartans however. Cece Colombo would find Madison Birch later after Florida Southern found the net, both teams going goal after goal trying to one up another. Showing this would be a high scoring affair.

13:24 -  Madison Birch, assisted by Cece Colombo

11:15 - Julia Kolderman, unassisted

7:40 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Olivia Mott

3:43 - Madison Birch, unassisted

Score: 10-10 Tied

Third Quarter

Tampa would start the second half off guns blazing, scoring three consecutive goals to show they're here to stay, everything started to click. Florida Southern would score four unanswered goals to demoralize the Spartans, as it seemed that Tampa would lose grip on the game after starting off so well.

13:50 – Sarah Hinkle, assisted by Lizzie Pierpont

12:14 - Olivia Mott, assisted by Sarah Hinkle

11:35 - Lizzie Pierpont, unassisted

9:28 - Madison Birch, unassisted

4:05 - Madison Birch, unassisted

Score: 18-15 Florida Southern

Fourth Quarter

The Mocs would come out with three goals out the gate, this would not put Tampa out the game however. As Tampa would come back with two goals of their own. The deficit would be to much to overcome, as both teams putting up two goals each as Florida Southern would get the final say and put the nail in the coffin.

11:30 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

10:48 - Cece Colombo, unassisted

8:28 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Madison Birch

8:20 - Emma McLoughlin, unassisted

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Birch would tally her goal total to 33 on the season

• Three Spartans would record a hat trick. Birch (5), Hinkle (4), Pierpont (3)

• Five Tampa player recorded an assist

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Tampa would outshoot Florida Southern 36-35

• Tampa committed 18 fouls tonight

• This loss ends the Spartans two game win streak

UP NEXT: The Spartans return home for Senior Day to face in conference opponent Palm Beach Atlantic, on Saturday April 9th at 3:00 PM.

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