Spartans Capture The Crown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 5 University of Tampa women's lacrosse picked up another ranked win on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 13 Wingate 17-11 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Spartans used a strong second-half push to pull away after trailing early, improving to 5-1 on the season.

How It Happened

Wingate opened the scoring just over two minutes into the contest, but Josie Bullock answered quickly off an assist from Jenna Myhal to even the score at 1-1. Tampa continued to settle in offensively as Maddie Szyluk found the back of the net off a feed from Bullock, and Jill Cobaugh followed with a goal assisted by Sarah Scott to give the Spartans a 3-1 advantage midway through the opening quarter. Wingate responded with a late surge, scoring three straight goals over the final five minutes of the first quarter to reclaim a 4-3 lead heading into the second. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 5-3 early in the second quarter, but Tampa answered with a decisive run. Peyton Howell started the rally with an unassisted goal, and Mary Kate Person followed with another unassisted tally to tie the game at 5-5. The Spartans kept the pressure on as Bullock scored off an assist from Audrey Kahoun, and Sia Markowski added another goal moments later, also assisted by Kahoun, to put Tampa in front 7-5. After Wingate cut the deficit to one, Howell struck again in the closing seconds of the half with an unassisted goal, sending Tampa into the break with an 8-7 lead.

Tampa took control in the third quarter with its strongest stretch of the afternoon. Howell opened the half with a free-position goal, and Person followed with a player-up score to extend the lead. Moments later, Alexa Borges converted on a player-up opportunity off an assist from Person, and Isabella Avila added a free-position goal to cap a four-goal burst that pushed the Spartans ahead 12-7. Wingate answered with back-to-back goals midway through the quarter, but Person stopped the momentum with a goal off an assist from Howell before adding another unassisted score to give Tampa a 14-9 edge entering the fourth. In the final quarter, Person opened the scoring with another free-position finish to stretch the lead to six. Wingate answered with a player-up goal, but Bullock added her third score of the day to keep the Spartans firmly in control. After the Bulldogs scored once more late, Person closed the scoring in the final minute with a free-position goal to seal the 17-11 win for Tampa.

Spartan Performances

• Person led the way with six goals and one assist, pacing the Spartans with a seven-point performance.
• Howell added three goals and one assist, while Bullock finished with.
• Borges, Avila, Cobaugh, Sia Markowski, and Maddie Szyluk each added a goal in the win.
• In the draw circle, Avila dominated with 11 draw controls, while Kierstyn Zinter added four as Tampa finished with an 18-12 advantage.
• Defensively, the Spartans collected 18 ground balls and caused 10 turnovers, with Avila contributing four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
• In goal, Savvy Barbosa made five saves in 43:06 of action to earn the win, while Payton Boteler added two saves in relief.

Up Next

The Spartans will return home to continue their nonconference schedule as they look to build on another strong win over Maryville on March 20 at 5:00 p.m. on Youth Night.