SSC Women’s Semifinals: #1 Tampa over #4 Saint Leo 19-6 – Both Recaps
via the school press releases
No.12 Spartans Punch Their Ticket to SSC Finals with Win Over No.24 Saint Leo
TAMPA, FL. – The No.12 ranked University of Tampa Spartans women’s lacrosse team wins the SSC Semifinal against No.24 Saint Leo in dominate fashion
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: University of Tampa Spartans 19, Saint Leo Lions, 6
Records: #12 Tampa (11-6, 7-1 SSC), #24 Saint Leo (7-11, 4-4 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Family Athletic Complex | Tampa, FL
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter
The first quarter opened up with the Lions opening the scoring early. The Spartans responded less than a minute later, with Olivia Mott finding Madison Birch in front of the net. With just under five minutes left to play in the first, the Spartans found themselves behind by two goals. Sarah Hinkle‘s late goal put the Spartans behind by one goal headed into the second. The Spartans scored as follows:
13:26– Madison Birch, assisted by Olivia Mott
00:03 – Sarah Hinkle, unassisted
Score: 3-2 Saint Leo
Second Quarter
The Second quarter began with both teams playing well on defense. Hinkle opened the scoring the quarter, netting her second of the game. Just under a minute later, Birch netted her second of the matchup. After this, the Spartans offense came to life, scoring two more goals to build a 6-3 lead. The Lions called a timeout to try and stop the Spartans’ momentum. Hinkle finished off her hat trick with just under five minutes left before the half. With three ground-balls recorded before the half, Dani Waters reached 100 for her career, capping off a great quarter for Tampa. The Spartans were dominate and went into halftime with a seven-goal lead.The Spartans scored as follows:
12:36 – Sarah Hinkle, unassisted
11:35 – Madison Birch, unassisted
10:59 – Georgia Glowaki, unassisted
9:47 – Olivia Mott, unassisted
04:40 – Sarah Hinkle, unassisted
02:43 – Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Olivia Mott
02:32 – Lizzie Pierpont, assisted by Cece Colombo
01:57 — Georgia Glowaki, unassisted
Score: 10-3 Tampa
Third Quarter
The Spartans carried over their momentum from the end of the second to begin the half. Birch netted her third of the game to finish off her hat trick and build the Spartans’ lead to eight goals. Christina Romano netted her first of the game with under eleven minutes left in the third, to cushion the Spartan lead. The Lions started to find the back of the net later in the quarter, but it would prove to be too late for a full comeback before the fourth quarter began. The Spartans scored as follows:
13:28 – Madison Birch, unassisted
10:58 – Christina Romano, unassisted
09:09 – Cece Colombo, assisted by Julia Kolderman
06:14 – Madison Birch, unassisted
04:14 – Emma McLoughlin, unassisted
Score: 15-4 Tampa
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter began with the Lions finding the back of the net for the fifth time of the game. The Spartans did not let that go unanswered though, with Birch netting her fifth of the contest. The Spartans continued to dominate and would punch their ticket to host the SSC Finals on Sunday. The Spartans scored as follows:
10:31 –Madison Birch, assisted by Lizzie Pierpont
08:46 – Abby Hope, assisted by Alyssa Romano
03:30 – Mekelsey Montgomery, assisted by Christina Romano
00:07 – Sarah Hinkle, unassisted
Final: 19-6 Tampa
INSIDE THE STATS:
Two Spartans would record hat tricks, Birch (5) and Hinkle (4)
Waters and Alyssa Romano recorded 4 ground-balls
Colombo recorded 6 draw controls
BEYOND THE BOX:
Tampa would outshoot Saint Leo 42-13
Waters reached over 100 career ground-balls
UP NEXT: The Spartans host the SSC Finals on Sunday against the winner of Florida Southern or Rollins, time TBA.
*****
#24 Saint Leo Women’s Lacrosse Season Ends in SSC Tournament Semifinals
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 24 Saint Leo women’s lacrosse historic season came to an end at the 2022 Sunshine State Conference Tournament Semifinals. The Lions jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first quarter but couldn’t manage to complete the upset against the No. 12 Tampa Spartans in a 19-6 final. The postseason run was the first SSC Tournament appearance since 2015, the first under fifth-year head coach Caitlin Hansen. Hansen spearheaded the successful season through a series of season-ending injuries. In the midst of the adversity, the Green and Gold pieced together a 7-11 overall record, finishing fourth in the conference.
The Lions held a first-quarter 3-1 lead but saw Tampa go on an uninterrupted 14-goal run to advance to the conference championship.
Reagan Buhrman won four draw controls for the Green and Gold. Fiona McLaughlin paced the Lions’ offensive efforts with three points; tallying two goals and an assist.
Rachel Smythe earned the start after helping the Lions punch their ticket to the postseason. Smythe earned seven saves in 41 minutes of work. Makayla Goetz finished up the goaltending responsibilities.
Saint Leo saw multiple records reset this season propelled by career-high performances. Maria Palomba set the program draw control record, a couple of times, besting herself. The record now stands at 17 draw controls after the freshman’s big day at the circle at No. 9 Florida Southern on April 13. In the season record book, Meghan Bomleny notched the most program’s most assists with a final tally of 27.
Hansen saw three SSC Weekly nods awarded to the Lions and a national weekly award. Palomba was named the IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week (2/15), SSC Defensive Player of the Week (3/29) Fiona McLaughlin was named the SSC Offensive Player of the Week (3/29), and Rachel Smythe was awarded the title of SSC Defensive Player of the Week follow a career-high 15 save day against the No. 12 Embry-Riddle Eagles (4/25).
Hansen wrapped up her fifth season at the helm of the Green and Gold. She now has a 40-29 (.579) record at Saint Leo and a 90-52 (.633) coaching record after nine years after directing two programs.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women’s lacrosse, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.