The Spartans Reeled in the Sailfish for First SSC Win of the Year

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 5 University of Tampa Women's Lacrosse team earns their first Sunshine State Conference win of the year at the Dog Pound against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The nationally ranked Spartans kicked things off as sophomore attacker Peyton Howell secured the first goal of the game for Tampa at the 13:40 mark. After assisting the first goal, Georgia Glowaki found the back of the net less than ten seconds later off a new attack. Now trailing by two, the Sailfish responded with three consecutive goals to take the lead for the first time at 3-2. However, the Spartans continued to stay offensive and make their way past the Sailfish defense as Gracie Colombo and Howell each tacked on two goals to the scoreboard, making Howell the first Spartan of the day to earn a hat trick.

While the Spartan's defense fended off the Sailfish and only allowed PBA three goals out of seven shots, Tampa's offense kept the momentum rolling as they would add eight more goals to the score. Senior midfielder Cece Colombo would net her first of the day off a solo goal. Following suit, Sarah Hinkle would not only net her first goal of the game but bury two more to earn her eighth hat trick of the season. Glowaki would find an open spot in the net to make herself the third Spartan of the day to earn a hat trick. Senior midfielder Riley McGettigan would play the ball inside to find Howell, who would net her 22nd goal of the season as a Spartan. And Gracie Colombo would score two more goals, with one in the final ten seconds of the quarter to extend Tampa's lead to 15-6 before heading into the break. 

With the game clock now running, Tampa looked to continue to add points to the scoreboard, and that they did. McGettigan would be the Spartan to get the ball rolling as she would score back-to-back goals, with one from the free position spot. Cece Colombo would follow up with another unassisted goal, increasing Tampa's lead to 18-6. At the 5:11 mark, Palm Beach Atlantic found the back of the net, but it would be no help as it would be their only goal for the quarter. Gracie Colombo and Hinkle would each tally a goal in the final minutes to help extend Tampa's lead to 20-7. 

Heading into the last 15 minutes of the match, the Sailfish looked to find a spark as three different PBA players would find the back of the net. However, a spark would never ignite as Tampa continued to stay on the attack and knock on their opponent's doorsteps. Hinkle would be her final goal of the game, making it her 39th of the season. Gracie Colombo would nab two more goals, with one at the 4:38 mark that crowned her the game's leading goal scorer with a total of seven goals. Senior midfielder Cece Colombo would be the last Spartan to score, securing the first conference win for Tampa at 24-10.     

Stat of the Game – Gracie Colombo earned a career-high of goals scored in a game in today's matchup with a total of seven goals.

TAMPA POST-GAME NOTES 

• Tampa earns their first conference win and improves to 8-2 overall on the season.
• Hinkle leads the team in goals scored at 39 goals this season.  
• Five Spartans would earn a hat trick in this matchup.  
• The Spartans would win 21 ground balls and caused 7 turnovers.
• UT went 12-12 on clears.
• Coach Kelly Gallagher picked up her 99^th career win.
• Tampa has won six straight.

UP NEXT – Tampa will pack their bags as they hit the road to face conference foe, Florida Southern, this Friday at 3:00 PM.