Fast Start Propels Spartans to First Road Win

Box score

YOUNG HARRIS, GA - The University of Tampa Women's Lacrosse team scored the first seven goals of the contest en route to a 16-3 win over Young Harris Wednesday afternoon at the lacrosse and soccer field. The victory is the first road win for the women's lacrosse program, which is in its inaugural season of competition.

The Spartans (7-9) struck first as Mallory Mays converted a free position shot four minutes into the contest. Morgan Cheripko won the ensuing draw control and found Kerry Glenday for a goal to give Tampa an early 2-0 lead. Tampa scored three unanswered goals to take a 5-0 lead with 22:00 remaining in the opening period. Minutes later Emilie Barbosa netted an unassisted goal to extend the lead to 6-0. Barbosa then found Bria Litow in front of the cage for a goal 27 seconds later. Kaylynn Roach scored a free position goal to get the Mountain Lions on the board and cut the deficit to 7-1 at the break.

Young Harris (1-16) cut the deficit to 7-2 as Roach netted an unassisted goal nine minutes into the second half. The Spartans took advantage of a Mountain Lions penalty as Cheripko connected with Amanda Voges for a man-up goal. Mays and Jackie Martin scored back-to-back goals to extend Tampa's lead to 10-2. Minutes later Cheripko's shot connected with the back of the cage with 10:14 remaining in the second half. The two teams traded goals before Cheripko scored her third goal of the game to give the Spartans a 13-3 lead. Lyndee Boyce, Briana Yukniewicz, and Melissa DaRocha each netted a goal for the 16-3 final.

Cheripko led the Spartans tallying three goals, three assists, and picking up 11 draw controls. Mays also netted a hat trick, while Barbosa finished with two goals and two assists. Marissa Killpack picked up a team-high four ground balls in the win.

The Spartans will return to action Sunday, April 27, when they travel to Winter Park, Fla. to take on Rollins in their season finale. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (youtube.com/utathletics) and Instragram (tampaspartans). UT also offers blast, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.