Tampa Battles to the End in 13–11 Matchup with No. 10 Saint Leo

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's lacrosse team battled throughout all four quarters but came up short in a 13–11 loss to No. 10 Saint Leo on Wednesday evening at Naimoli Field. With the result, the Spartans move to 8–4 overall and 2–3 in conference play, while the Lions improve to 12–3 and 4–1.

How It Happened

Tampa opened the scoring early in the first quarter when Mary Kate Person found the back of the net on an unassisted opportunity. After Saint Leo responded with back-to-back goals, Peyton Howell converted a free-position attempt to tie the game. In the final seconds of the quarter, Jill Cobaugh capitalized on a player-up advantage off a feed from Person to give Tampa a 3–2 lead heading into the second.

Saint Leo seized momentum in the second quarter, scoring five times in the frame. Audrey Kahoun briefly evened the contest at 4–4 with an unassisted goal, but the Lions closed the half on a 3–0 run to take a 7–4 advantage into halftime.

The Spartans responded with their strongest stretch in the third quarter. After Saint Leo pushed the lead to four, Tampa answered with four goals in the final three minutes of the period. Jenna Myhal, Person, and Kaitlin Price all converted on player-up free-position opportunities to cap the run and cut the deficit to 10–8 entering the fourth.

In the final quarter, Person scored twice in less than a minute to bring Tampa within one at 12–11, and Howell added another free-position goal to keep the pressure on. However, a late player-up goal from Saint Leo with under two minutes to play sealed the 13–11 decision.

Spartan Performances

• Person led the offense with five goals and an assist on 11 shots, including multiple key second-half finishes.
• Howell added two goals on free-position attempts while collecting three ground balls.
• Cobaugh, Kahoun, Myhal, and Price each added a goal in the balanced Tampa attack.
• Avila controlled the draw circle with nine draw controls as Tampa held a 16–10 advantage.
• Defensively, the Spartans scooped up 23 ground balls and forced nine caused turnovers.
• In goal, Boteler and Barbosa split time, combining for five saves.

Up Next

The Spartans continue conference play later this week as they look to bounce back at home.