Top Seed Tampa Set to Host Postseason
TAMPA, Fla. – The NCAA South Region bracket is set, and the University of Tampa women's lacrosse team holds the No. 1 seed as it awaits the winner of Thursday's opening-round matchup between No. 9 Lynn and No. 11 Flagler, with a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals on the line.
The Matchups
Game 1: No. 9 Lynn University (14–4, 4–3 SSC) vs. No. 11 Flagler University (13–5, 4–0 GSC)
Date/Time: Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 1 University of Tampa (17–1, 6–1 SSC) vs. Winner of Lynn/Flagler
Date/Time: Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex – 1120 West North A Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: Tampa has never faced Flagler, but is plenty familiar with Sunshine State Conference foe Lynn. The Spartans are 6–0 all-time against the Fighting Knights, including a 17–8 win last month. Tampa has won every matchup by an average margin of 7 goals and has held Lynn under 10 goals in five of six meetings.
About the Spartans: The University of Tampa enters the NCAA Tournament as the South Region's top seed after defeating No. 3 Florida Southern 15–13 to win its third consecutive Sunshine State Conference Tournament title. SSC Attack Player of the Year Peyton Howell led the way with four goals and two assists in the championship and ranks seventh nationally with 4.56 goals per game. On the other end, the Spartans boast the SSC Defensive Player of the Year, Lexi Waters, and Goalkeeper of the Year Savvy Barbosa, whose 8.06 goals-against average ranks third in the nation. Tampa leads the conference in scoring margin (8.78), goals allowed, and ground balls, and its scoring margin ranks fourth nationally.
About the Fighting Knights: Lynn enters the NCAA Tournament as the Sunshine State Conference's fourth representative after falling in the SSC quarterfinals to lower-ranked Saint Leo. The Fighting Knights, seeded No. 4 in the South Region, have lost three straight, a skid that began with their 17–8 loss to Tampa. Lynn is 3–1 all-time against Flagler, including a 12–8 win earlier this season.
About the Saints: Flagler enters as the No. 5 seed after capturing its third straight Gulf South Conference title with a 14–10 win over No. 22 Lander. GSC Attacker of the Year Sydney Onega leads the Saints with 78 points, and Carley Tepel added five goals in the GSC championship game. Making their third NCAA appearance, Flagler will face Lynn for a chance to play top-seeded Tampa. The Saints are 1–3 all-time against the Fighting Knights, with their lone win coming in overtime.