Strong Second Half help Spartans Get Past Grizzlies

Box score

TAMPA, Fla - The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team overcame an early deficit to defeat Adams State 15-13 Friday night at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. The Spartans never trailed in the second half. Eileen Barrett's score with 2:46 left in the second half broke the fourth tie of the half and was the game winning goal.

Adams State (2-7) struck first scoring goals on their first two possessions of the game. Tampa responded two minutes later as Briana Yukniewicz scored an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 25:24 left in the first half. After the Grizzles score back-to-back goals, Kirsten Brierley found Katie Coleman for a goal with 20:56 remaining in the first half. The two teams traded goals, before Lyndee Boyce dodged towards the cage and put a shot past the goalie to cut the lead to 5-4. Melanie McKissick netted two straight goals for Adams State to give the Grizzlies a 7-4 lead. The two teams traded goals, before Barrett, Maggie Griffo, and Mallory Mays netted unassisted goals to even the score 8-8 at the break.

Tampa (5-7) continued the offensive attack in the second half. Four minutes into the second half Amanda Voges found Mays for the goal to give the Spartans their first lead of the game 9-8. Minutes later, Griffo found Emilie Barbosa in traffic for goal. Tampa added another goal when Morgan Cheripko dodged towards the cage and put a shot into the cage to extend the Spartans lead to 11-8. The Grizzlies responded scoring four of the next five goals to tie the game 12-12 with 10:11 left in the second half. Cheripko won the ensuing draw control and netted a goal five seconds later to give Tampa the 13-12 advantage. The Grizzlies responded minutes later as McKissick netted the equalizer with 5:22 remaining. Tampa converted back-to-back free position attempts for the 15-13 final.

Mays led the Spartans with four goals, while Barbosa and Barrett each netted a pair of goals. Cheripko tallied two goals and picked up a game high 16 ground balls.

The Spartans will return to action Sunday, March 30, when they host Emmanuel. Game time is set for noon. Live stats and a video webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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