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Spartans Fall to Mocs in Overtime
May 9, 2026

Spartans Fall to Mocs in Overtime

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AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team battled until the final whistle but fell to top-seeded Florida Southern, 10–9, in overtime on Saturday morning at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in the NCAA South Regional Final. With the loss, the Spartans conclude their season with a 13-6 overall record after pushing the nationally-ranked Mocs to overtime in a tightly contested postseason matchup.
 

How It Happened

Tampa came out with energy from the opening draw and immediately controlled possession early in the first quarter. The Spartans broke through at the 10:52 mark when Maddie Szyluk finished a feed from Jenna Myhal to give Tampa a 1–0 advantage. The defensive unit continued to frustrate Florida Southern throughout the opening period as Savvy Barbosa made several early stops and the Spartans forced multiple turnovers to keep the Mocs off the scoreboard. The Spartans doubled the lead midway through the quarter as Peyton Howell buried a shot off an assist from Mary Kate Person with 6:57 remaining. Tampa continued to capitalize on its offensive opportunities late in the frame when Person found the back of the net off a pass from Szyluk with just over two minutes left in the quarter. Tampa's defense closed the opening period strong, holding Florida Southern scoreless through the first 15 minutes while carrying a 3–0 lead into the second quarter.
 
Florida Southern shifted momentum quickly to start the second quarter, scoring less than 10 seconds into the period on an unassisted goal by Kassidy Miller. The Mocs began to control possession off the draw and generated consistent pressure in the attacking third. Grace Curtin cut the deficit to one at the 11:21 mark before Jenna Vetter evened the score at 3–3 with 8:46 remaining in the half.
Tampa continued to battle defensively during the Florida Southern run as Barbosa recorded four saves in the quarter, but the Mocs eventually took their first lead of the game when Curtin scored her second goal of the afternoon with 5:36 left before halftime. The Spartans looked for a late equalizer in the final minutes of the half, but Florida Southern maintained the narrow 4–3 advantage heading into the break.
 
The Spartans responded out of halftime and capitalized on a player-up opportunity early in the third quarter. Following a Florida Southern green card, Howell fired home an unassisted goal at the 12:17 mark to tie the contest at 4–4. Florida Southern answered just under a minute later as Riley Rivera restored the lead for the Mocs before Danielle Mojsej added another goal midway through the period to make it 6–4.
Tampa refused to let the game slip away late in the third quarter behind a surge from Mary Kate Person. The graduate attacker first scored unassisted with 5:38 remaining to pull the Spartans within one before converting another player-up opportunity just over a minute later after another Florida Southern penalty. Person's second straight goal tied the game at 6–6 and shifted momentum back toward Tampa heading into the final quarter.
 
The Spartans wasted little time reclaiming the lead in the fourth quarter. Just 19 seconds into the frame, Grace Lichtenberger converted on a player-up opportunity off an assist from Howell to give Tampa a 7–6 edge. Florida Southern quickly responded less than a minute later with a player-up goal of its own from Jenna Vetter to even the game once again.
Tampa answered immediately as Audrey Kahoun scored an unassisted goal at the 11:18 mark to put the Spartans back in front. The Spartans then created more separation midway through the quarter when Jenna Myhal converted a free-position attempt with 7:04 remaining, extending Tampa's lead to 9–7 and putting pressure back on the Mocs late in regulation.
Florida Southern continued to respond in key moments down the stretch. Grace Curtin completed her hat trick with 6:11 remaining to trim the deficit back to one before the Mocs capitalized on another player-up opportunity after a late Tampa yellow card. Kassidy Miller tied the contest at 9–9 with 2:05 remaining, forcing a tense final stretch of regulation. Both defenses held firm over the closing minutes as neither side could generate a game-winning opportunity before the horn sounded, sending the NCAA regional final into overtime.
 
In the extra period, Florida Southern controlled possession early and eventually found the winner with 1:23 remaining. Danielle Mojsej delivered a pass to Kolby Cohen cutting toward goal, where Cohen finished the overtime strike to give the Mocs the 10–9 victory and end Tampa's postseason run.

Spartan Performances

  • Mary Kate Person led Tampa offensively with a hat trick and one assist.
  • Peyton Howell added two goals and an assist, while Maddie Szyluk recorded a goal and an assist.
  • Grace Lichtenberger, Audrey Kahoun, and Jenna Myhal each found the back of the net.
  • Savvy Barbosa kept the Spartans in the game throughout the afternoon, recording 13 saves against 34 shots faced.
  • Alexis Abe led the defense with four caused turnovers and five ground balls.
  • Tampa converted three player-up opportunities and successfully cleared 24 of 25 attempts.
  • The Spartans held Florida Southern scoreless in the opening quarter and forced 13 turnovers overall.
Tampa concludes the 2026 season 13-6. Thank you for keeping up and supporting the Spartans all season long.