Spartans Set to Host the Rollins College Tars in Season Opener
The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team looks to start it's 2018 campaign hosting SSC foe Rollins College.
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team is set to host the Rollins College Tars on Saturday, February 10th in its season opener. The game is slated to start at 12:00 p.m.
The Matchup: University of Tampa (0-0) vs. Rollins College (0-0)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 10th at 12:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Intramural and Athletic Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: The Tampa Spartans concluded their 2017 season at the Sunshine State Conference tournament, where they were defeated by the Florida Southern College Moccasins 19-12. In the matchup, junior attackman Rachel Crawford led the Spartans offense with three goals, followed by junior Caroline Forester, and sophomore Maggie Gladden who each had two. Additional standouts from the game included, Amanda Rom who led Tampa in assists with two, as well as Alexa Scudillo who had one goal, two ground balls, and one caused turnover for UT. Due to their stellar performances in the match, both Crawford and Scudillo were named to the SSC All-Championship team. The victorious Florida Southern Moccasins continued their season making it to the national championship, where they lost to Adelphi 6-4.
About the Spartans: Tampa finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 6-11, 1-3 in the Sunshine State Conference. This season, the squad was selected to finish No. 4 in the SSC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll and looks to improve upon last season with the help of eight new freshmen and two new transfers. In addition to returning all of the players listed above in the Last Time Out section, two other key contributors to the Spartans success include sophomore Claire Swanson and junior Abby Coccagna. Both 2017 All SSC second-team selections, Swanson, the Cheyenne, Wyo. native, ended her freshman campaign fourth on the team in goals with 21. Additionally, she had two assists, led the team in draw controls with 44, picked up 26 ground balls, and caused 16 turnovers. Coccagna, the defensive standout from Baltimore, Md., led the Spartans in their 2017 run with 20 caused turnovers, in addition to stating 25 ground balls, 14 draw controls, and two goals for UT.
It should also be mentioned, that Rom (previously mentioned) was also an All SSC second-team selection. She led the Spartans in assists last season with 37, was second on the team in draw controls with 33, had 19 goals, and 13 caused turnovers.
About the Tars: The Tars ended the 2017 season with an overall record of 12-5, 2-2 in the SSC. Similar to the Spartans, the Tars also lost in the first round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, to the Florida Tech Panthers. As a team, the Tars recorded 130 goals, and 50 assists last year. They averaged 13 goals per game, 29.1 shots per game, and had a 44.7 shooting percentage. Key offensive returners for the Tars, include Kallie German who led the team in goals and assists, as well as Hannah Aston and Maggie Dougherty.
Series History (Women's): The Tars lead the all-time series record with the Spartans with a 5-0 record.
Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.