TAMPA, Fla. – For the first time in program history the No. 10 University of Tampa women’s lacrosse team UPSET the No. 3 Florida Southern College Moccasins by a final score of 16-14. Not only is this the Spartans first win over the Moccasins, but it is also the program’s first win over a top-five opponent.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 10 Tampa Spartans 16, No. 3 Florida Southern Moccasins 14
Records: Tampa (7-2, SSC 1-0), Florida Southern (8-2, SSC 1-1)
Location:  Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex | Tampa, Fla. 
All-time Series: This was the first time in program history the Spartans have defeated the Moccasins in women’s lacrosse. FSC leads the all-time series over UT 7-1. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:



1st Half

• Five minutes into the game, junior captain Claire Swanson scored the first goal of the contest off a free position shot. 
• FSC answered thirty seconds later. 
• Rachel Crawford then netted an unassisted goal for the Spartans, before FSC’s Aubriana Benedetto tied the game at two. 
• The Tampa Spartans then scored the next seven goals, giving UT the 9-2 lead. 
• The first of the seven goals was scored by senior captain Caroline Forester. 
• Swanson then drained her second goal of the contest off the assist by Kristyn Staley. 
• Maggie Gladden then netted a goal, this time off the pass from Swanson. 
• At the 12:59 mark, Carly Vaccaro earned her first goal of the contest, the assist by Rachel Crawford. 
• The sixth of the seven goals was scored by Lauren McNeill. 
• Maggie Gladden scored Tampa’s ninth goal off the assist from Swanson. 
• Finally, with 4:45 left in the half, the Moccasins ended Tampa’s scoring run. 
• Then with 4:21 remaining, Caroline Forester earned her second goal of the contest off the pass by Staley.
• The FSC Moccasins scored the last two goals of the half. 
• Heading into halftime, the Spartans led the Moccasins 10-5. 

2nd Half

• To start the second half, the Moccasins were the first team to score narrowing the Spartans lead 10-6.
• With 21:57 remaining in the contest, Kayla Kosubinsky netted a goal for the Spartans. 
• Kristyn Staley then scored giving Tampa the 12-6 lead. 
• Caroline Forester netted her third goal of the night with 15:32 remaining, the assist came by Rachel Crawford. 
• Florida Southern then scored seven unanswered goals to tie the game at 13.
• However, Crawford responded ending the Moccasin’s scoring run and giving Tampa the one point lead. 
• Tampa then scored two more unassisted goals. Vaccaro netted one with 5:24 remaining and then Swanson earned the Spartans final goal with 4:11 on the clock.
• Florida Southern scored the last goal of the contest with 2:53 remaining. 
• The No. 10 University of Tampa Spartans UPSET the No. 3 Florida Southern College Moccasins by a final score of 16-14.  

 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Claire Swanson had a whopping four goals and two assists for the Spartans. 
• Caroline Forester in addition to earning a hat trick on the night, stated her 100^thcareer point as a Spartan.
• Rachel Crawford, Carly Vaccaro, and Maggie Gladden all had two goals in the contest. Crawford also had two assists. 
• Alexa Scudillo had a team-high of three caused turnovers for the Spartans defense. Additionally, she logged five ground balls and one draw control win. 
• Swanson led the Spartans in draws with nine, followed by Forester with three.  
• Bridget Sutter faced 25 shots on the night. She recorded 11 saves and three ground balls for the Spartans. 

UP NEXT:The Spartans will travel to Marietta, Georgia to play the Young Harris College Mountain Lions on Saturday, March 30^th. The game is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. and will be held at Kell High School. 

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