TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women’s lacrosse team has announced captains for the 2019 season. Seniors Abby Coccagna, Caroline Forester, and Allie Popelar, along with sole junior Claire Swanson will guide the Spartans for the upcoming season.

Coccagna, a defender from Baltimore, Md. was stalwart on defense just a season ago posting 36 ground balls while ranking second on the team with 21 caused turnovers. The 5-6 senior leads by example and was named to the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times, in addition to being an All-Sunshine State Conference Second-Team selection her sophomore season. 

Forester, a 5-6 offensive juggernaut from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. started in all 18 games for the Spartans last season. She ended the season with 36 goals and four assists in addition to logging 34 ground balls, 34 draw control wins, as well as stating 16 caused turnovers.  She is also a three-year member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and last season found a spot on the SSC All-Championship Team selection.  

Popelar, a 5-9 midfielder and another three-year member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Has started for the Spartans since her freshman season. Last year, the Colorado Springs, Colo. native earned 15 goals and four assists. She also stated 12 ground balls, 19 draw control wins, and had nine caused turnovers. 

Swanson, the loan junior selected as a team captain, has played in every game since putting on the Tampa jersey as a freshman. She has received All SSC Second-Team honors in back-to-back seasons, in addition to being named a two-time member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Last season she was second on the team in goals with 34, led the Spartans in draw controls with 81, and recorded four assists, 22 ground balls, and 15 caused turnovers. 

UT will play 15 regular-season contests, including six home contests and seven Sunshine State Conference matchups. 

The Spartans open up the season against conference foe, Rollins College, on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. before a key regional matchup against Queens (N.C.) on Feb. 16. Tampa will travel to five out of state games this season, heading to South Carolina, Colorado, and Georgia respectively.

2019 Women’s Lacrosse Schedule

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