Early Deficit Too Much for Spartans to Overcome

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team couldn't overcome an early four goal deficit as they fell 14-10 to Saint Leo, Friday night at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex. With the win the Lions improve to 8-4, while the Spartans fall to 6-8 on the season.

Saint Leo struck first as Alix Murry netted a goal on the Lions first possession. Saint Leo added three more goals to take a 4-0 lead with 13:13 left in the first half. Tampa responded two minutes later as Maggie Griffo found Amanda Voges for a goal to cut the lead to 4-1. After a Lions penalty, Voges found Griffo for a man-up goal with 9:54 remaining. Saint Leo scored back-to-back goals, before Jackie Martin netted two straight goals to cut the deficit to 6-4. Allie Sheftall converted a free position shot to give Saint Leo a 7-4 lead at the break.

Saint Leo netted three of the first four goals to start the second half to extend their lead to 10-5. Minutes later Griffo converted put her free position shot into the back of the cage to cut the deficit to 10-6. After a Saint Leo goal, Martin found Mallory Mays in traffic for a man-up goal. The Lions scored three straight goals to take a 14-7 lead with 2:55 remaining. Tampa fought back as Morgan Cheripko found Martin for a goal. Thirty seconds later Voges netted her third goal of the game to cut the deficit to 14-9. Cheripko won the draw control and on the ensuing possession she converted a free position shot for the 14-10 final.

Martin finished the game with three goals and two assists, while Voges tallied a hat trick. Griffo netted a pair of goals and dished out one assist.

Cheripko, the NCAA Division II leader in draw controls per game, picked up 10 draw controls in the contest. It was the seventh time this season she has picked up at least 10 draw controls in a game. Wylie Cassidy made 10 saves in the cage for the Spartans.

The Spartans will return to action Saturday, April 12, when they travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take on No. 5 Florida Southern. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Live stats and a video webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (youtube.com/utathletics) and Instragram (tampaspartans). UT also offers blast, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.