Despite Trailing Early Spartans Come Back to Advance to SSC Tournament Championship

TAMPA, FL. – The No.3 University of Tampa women's lacrosse team advance to the SSC Championship for the third year in a row.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No.3 University of Tampa 12, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 10

Records: Tampa (16-2, 8-0 SSC), ERAU (13-5, 4-3)

Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Fl

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Quarter: The game opened with ERAU starting off hot. They scored four early unanswered goals. This forced Tampa to take a timeout to regroup. Tampa's defensive intensity increased as they looked to get the ball back onto their side of the field. Tampa finally got on the board with a goal by Gia Colombo. Tampa then scored two more times to end the first and put them within one goal before the second quarter. The goals for the Spartans were scored as follows:

2:18 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

1:04 - Allie Peebles, assisted by Gia Colombo

0:10 - Sarah Hinkle, assisted by Olivia Mott

Score: 3-4 (ERAU)

Second Quarter: The second quarter opened with Tampa bringing the same intensity from the closing minutes of the first. They quickly tied the game at 4 with 12:22 left in the quarter with a goal by Sarah Hinkle. From here, Tampa kept the ball rolling scoring eight unanswered goals and taking the lead at halftime. The Spartan goals headed into halftime were scored as follows:

12:22 - Sarah Hinkle, unassisted

0:49 - Sophi Wrisk, unassisted

0:21 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Sophi Wrisk

0:08 - Alyssa Romano, unassisted

Score: 7-4 (Tampa)

Third Quarter: The third quarter opened with Tampa getting on the board first again with a goal from Gia Colombo. ERAU snuck two goals in ending their scoring drought and putting them at six goals on the afternoon. Tampa responded with a goal from Olivia Mott but ERAU came back with another goal slowly decreasing Tampa's lead. Tampa didn't back down though pushing through until the end. The Spartan's goals were scored as follows:

14:01 - Gia Colombo, unassisted

12:48 - Jenna Myhal, assisted by Cece Colombo

7:02 - Olivia Mott, unassisted

Score: 10-8 (Tampa)

Fourth Quarter: The last minutes of the game started with Tampa getting on the board first again with a goal from Julia Kolderman. ERAU scores again cutting Tampa's lead to two. It was crunch time as Tampa looking to close out the game on top. Their defense stayed solid with O'Neill Galinson scooping up a groundball to a successful clear attempt securing the win and advancing to the SSC Championship game. The Spartan goals for the fourth quarter were scored as follows:

13:26 - Julia Kolderman, unassisted

11:45 - Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Julia Kolderman

Final: 12-10 (Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Gia Colombo, Lizzie Pierpont, and Sarah Hinkle led with two goals apiece
• Lizzie Pierpont scooped up six groundballs, Sarah Hinkle behind with four
• Alyssa Romano led the team winning five draw controls

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Alyssa Romano scored her first goal of the season
• Tampa goes to the SSC Championship for the third straight year and look to take it all this year

UP NEXT: The Spartans advance to the SSC Tournament Championship and compete on April 30 against TBA.