Cheripko’s Big Day Helps Spartans Extend Win Streak to Four

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - Morgan Cheripko netted five goals and won 12 draw controls to help the University of Tampa women's lacrosse team defeat Emmanuel 17-6 Sunday afternoon at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. With the win the Spartans improve to 6-7 on the season and are winners of four straight games, while the Lions drop to 6-7.

The Spartans struck first as Mallory Mays and Eileen Barrett each scored an unassisted goal to give Tampa a 2-0 lead. Cheripko scored back-to-back goals to extend the Spartans lead to 4-0 with 23:13 left in the first half. Emmanuel scored two goals to cut the lead in half with 11:35 remaining. Kerry Glenday won the ensuing draw control and found Lyndee Boyce in the middle of the field for a goal. The Spartans took advantage of a Lions penalty as Jackie Martin converted a free position shot for a man-up goal. Emmanuel scored three of the final four goals in the first half to cut the lead to 7-5 at the break.

Cheripko won the opening draw of the second half and ran a give and go with Emilie Barbosa for a goal to extend the Spartans lead to 8-5. After the two teams traded goals, Barbosa picked up a loose ball in front of the cage and scored her second goal of the game. Tampa scored twice before Mays found Mackenzie Mueller in front of the cage for a goal to give Tampa a 13-6 lead with 21:29 left in the second half. The Spartans scored four unassisted goals, including two from Maggie Griffo, for the 17-6 final.

Barbosa and Mays each tallied two goals and two assist in the contest, while Griffo netted a pair of goals. Glenday finished the game with four caused turnovers, four ground balls, and an assist.

Cheripko's five goals tied a career-high and it was the fifth straight game that she picked up at least 12 draw controls.

The Spartans will return to action Friday, April 4, when they host Saint Leo at 7 p.m. This game will be the Spartans final home game of the season. Live stats and a video webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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