Spartans Victorious in Dominant Fashion Over Tars

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team delivered a dominant performance on the road Wednesday night, defeating No. 14 Rollins, 18–3. With the victory, the Spartans improved to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in Sunshine State Conference play, fueled by a relentless offensive attack and a shut-down defensive effort. 

How It Happened

Tampa wasted no time getting on the board, as Kaylee VanVladricken opened the scoring with a man-up goal just 32 seconds into the contest. Rollins responded with back-to-back goals to briefly take a 2-1 lead, but the Spartans quickly regained control. Mary Kate Person scored twice in the final minutes of the first quarter to give Tampa a 3-2 edge heading into the second.

The Spartans extended their lead in the second quarter behind Person's continued offensive surge. She added two more goals early in the frame, while Jill Cobaugh capped the half with a late tally to send Tampa into the break with a 6-3 advantage.

Coming out of halftime, Tampa completely took over the game. The Spartans erupted for seven unanswered goals in the third quarter, highlighted by a balanced scoring effort. Cobaugh netted two goals during the run, while Peyton Howell, Audrey Kahoun, Person, and Josie Bullock all contributed. Tampa's defense held Rollins scoreless in the period, building a commanding 13-3 lead.

The momentum carried into the fourth quarter as the Spartans continued their offensive onslaught. Howell led the charge with three goals in the final frame, while Person and Kaitlin Price each added scores. Tampa closed the game on a 12-0 run, sealing the decisive 18-3 victory.

Spartan Performances

• Person delivered a dominant performance, leading all scorers with six goals and two assists while controlling the pace of Tampa's offense.
• Howell followed with a standout effort, recording five goals and two assists, including three goals in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
• Cobaugh added three goals, while VanVladricken and Kahoun each contributed a goal to the scoring column.
• Price finished with a goal and an assist, and Bullock added a goal in the third-quarter surge.
• In the draw circle, Tampa held a 17-7 advantage, with Isabella Avila leading the way with seven draw controls.
• Defensively, the Spartans limited Rollins to just three goals and 13 total shots, while forcing 26 turnovers.
• Tampa also controlled possession with a near-perfect 24-for-25 clearing effort.
• In goal, Payton Boteler earned the win, recording three saves while anchoring a defense that held Rollins scoreless over the final three quarters. 

Up Next

The Spartans will look to keep their momentum rolling as they continue Sunshine State Conference play in their upcoming matchup versus Florida Southern on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.