Tampa Set to Welcome Women’s Lacrosse as 19th Sport

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team will make history as it begins its first season of competition with a tough test against No. 4 Rollins College on Sunday at 2 p.m., at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex.

The game will feature several festivities as UT is set to welcome collegiate women's lacrosse to the city of Tampa. A tailgate party will begin at 1 p.m., as UT will give away commemorative posters. Several kids groups will be in attendance as UT is also attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the largest human hula hoop chain.

This will be the first of two meetings between the Spartans and Tars this season. They also meet on April 27 in the regular season finale in Winter Park.

Head coach Kelly Gallagher has assembled a team that includes players from eight different states, led by 13 from New York. The roster also includes six players who hail from the state of Florida. Additionally, 32 of the 34 players are underclassmen as junior Briana Yukniewicz and senior Tess Hooker represent the lone upperclassmen.

Sunday's game will be the season-opener for Rollins, who finished 16-2 last season before losing to Limestone in the national semifinals. The Tars have returned 17 players from last year's roster, including six starters. Rollins has returned three of their top five points leaders, including Caroline Lamere who led the Tars with 54 points. Goalie Elyse De Lisle is returning to the cage for the Tars. Last season she made 124 saves while holding opponents to an 9.07 goals against average.

Rollins is the first of four nationally-ranked opponent that the Spartans will face this season. They will host No. 3 Limestone on March 10, No. 12 Indiana (Pa.) on March 15, and travel to Lakeland to take on No. 11 Florida Southern on April 12.

Tickets are available at the gate for $5. Children 12-and-under will be admitted free. UT faculty, staff and students are admitted free when displaying a valid Spartan ID card.

UT will offer live stats through Tampa.Statbroadcast.com and a webcast through TampaSpartans.tv.

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