Tampa Advances to Second Round in NCAA Tournament, Avila Becomes Program's All-Time Leader in Caused Turnovers in Win

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team advanced with a 17–10 victory over Embry-Riddle on Thursday morning at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Fla. Behind balanced scoring and a strong second-quarter surge, the Spartans improved to 13-5 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.

How It Happened
Embry-Riddle wasted little time getting on the board as Ava Rogala scored just under a minute into the contest to give the Eagles an early advantage. Tampa responded immediately, however, with Isabella Avila tying the game less than 20 seconds later before Peyton Howell gave the Spartans their first lead with an unassisted goal at the 12:55 mark. Jenna Myhal extended the lead moments later off an assist from Grace Lichtenberger as Tampa quickly built a 3–1 advantage.

The Eagles answered midway through the opening quarter with goals from Natalie Jansky and Eliana Enners to keep the game within one, but Myhal struck again with 5:47 remaining in the period to restore Tampa's edge. The Spartans carried a 4–3 lead into the second quarter after holding Embry-Riddle scoreless over the final five minutes of the frame.

Tampa took control in the second quarter behind a dominant offensive stretch that saw the Spartans score five unanswered goals. Josie Bullock opened the period with an unassisted strike before Mary Kate Person finished a feed from Isabel McGarvey to extend the lead to three. Sia Markowski added another off an assist from Person, and Howell followed with back-to-back goals in less than a minute to cap the run and push Tampa ahead 9–3. Embry-Riddle found the back of the net late in the quarter through Callison Foreman, but the Spartans still entered halftime firmly in control with a 9–4 advantage.

Embry-Riddle attempted to shift momentum early in the third quarter after Caitlin Gavin converted a free-position opportunity to make it a four-goal game. Tampa answered quickly once again as Howell scored just under a minute later before Person added a free-position goal of her own to stretch the lead back to six. Foreman cut into the deficit midway through the quarter, but Tampa capitalized on a player-up opportunity late in the frame as McGarvey finished off an assist from Myhal to send the Spartans into the fourth quarter leading 12–6.

The Eagles mounted one final push in the fourth quarter, scoring four times over an eight-minute stretch to trim Tampa's lead to 14–10. Eliana Enners opened the quarter with a free-position goal before McGarvey and Bullock answered for the Spartans with consecutive scores. Embry-Riddle then rattled off three unanswered goals from Enners, Foreman, and Aubrey Schmidt to bring the deficit down to four with 6:33 remaining.

Tampa responded with composure down the stretch and closed the game on a 3–0 run. Myhal sparked the finish with her third goal of the day off another assist from Lichtenberger before Person added two late goals, including a free-position strike in the final minute, to secure the 17–10 postseason victory.

Spartan Performances

• Peyton Howell and Mary Kate Person each recorded four goals to lead the Tampa offense.
• Jenna Myhal added a hat trick along with an assist, while Isabel McGarvey contributed two goals and an assist.
• Grace Lichtenberger tallied two assists, and Josie Bullock finished with two goals.
• Tampa held a commanding 41–21 advantage in shots and placed 29 shots on goal.
• Isabella Avila and Maddie Szyluk each collected four draw controls, while Audrey Kahoun led the team with five.
• Savvy Barbosa earned the win in goal after recording five saves across 60 minutes.
• The Spartans converted on four of six free-position opportunities and successfully cleared 20 of 24 attempts.
• Tampa now advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.
• Avila now holds the all-time record for most caused turnovers with 52 surpassing Dani Waters.
• The Spartans went 2-0 on the season versus the Eagles.

Up Next
The Spartans will take on No. 1 seed Florida Southern on Saturday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex for a spot in the NCAA Quaterfinal. This will be the third time that the Spartans and Mocs face each other this season.