Spartans Rally Comes Up Short Against Bees

Box score

Tampa, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team overcame a five goal deficit but it wasn't enough as they fell 11-9 to Savannah College of Art and Design Tuesday night at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. With the win the Bees improves to 9-0, while the Spartans falls to 2-7 on the season.

SCAD struck first as Charlotte Cutts scored a fast break goal to give the Bees an early 1-0 lead. The Bees scored four straight goals to jump out to an 5-0 lead with 5:55 left in the first half. Emilie Barbosa got the Spartans on the scoreboard when she converted a free position shot with 2:33 left in the half. A minute later Eileen Barrett netted an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 5-2. Morgan Cheripko won the ensuing draw control and on the Spartans possession Barbosa scored an unassisted goal with 1:11 remaining in the first half. Tampa would strike one more time before the break as Barrett's shot found the back of the cage to cut the deficit to 5-4.

The Spartans came out of the break looking to carry over the momentum from the first half. Two minutes into the half, Mackenzie Perna converted a free position attempt to tie the score at 5-5. After back-to-back SCAD goals Jackie Martin put her free position shot past the goalie to cut the deficit to 7-6. The two teams traded goals, before Kayla Nelson scored twice for the Bees to extend their lead to 10-7 with 8:01 remaining in the second half. Tampa responded as Cheripko took advantage of a SCAD penalty and netted a man-up goal. A minute later, Martin found Mallory Mays cutting towards the cage for the goal to cut the deficit to 10-9 with 4:36 left. SCAD would score once more for the 11-9 final.

Barbosa leads the Spartans with two goals and an assist, while Barrett and Perna each netted a pair of goals.

Cheripko tallied 12 draw controls and picked up four ground balls. It was the second time this season she has picked up at least 12 draw controls. Wylie Cassidy made nine saves in the cage for the Spartans.

The Spartans will return to action Thursday, March 20, when they host Erskine at 7 p.m. Live stats and a video webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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