TAMPA, FLA.  – The No. 4 Maryville women's lacrosse team made the trip down to face No. 5 Tampa but the Spartans used a big run late in the second quarter to emerge with a 17-10 win. Tampa took advantage at draw control as the Saints saw their six-game winning streak come to an end. Paige Murphy led the Saints with four goals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans scored on the opening possession of the game and extended the lead to 2-0. Murphy answered for the Saints, and just 54 seconds later, Natalie Tomljenovic deadlocked the game at 2-2 off a feed from Mady Richert. UT took the lead but Tomljenovic tied the contest again. The Spartans made a save on a free-position shot and came back down to score on a player-down situation for a 4-3 lead after the first quarter.
 
After the Saints killed off a penalty, Helen Bae found Murphy down the right alley and she found the back of the net to pull the score back to level at 4-4. However, Tampa struck with seven straight goals to grab an 11-4 lead at the break.
 
The Saints finally broke their scoring drought when Bae fired in a goal late in the third. Maryville opened the fourth with two goals within the first minute as Murphy and Devyn Dimovitz notched goals. The Saints outscored the Spartans 5-2 in the frame but were unable to overcome Tampa's big mid-game run.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Goals: Paige Murphy - 4
Assists: Helen Bae - 2
Points: Paige Murphy - 4
Ground Balls: Kylie Pettus - 4
Caused Turnovers: three players - 1
Draw Controls: Helen Bae - 7
Saves: Gianna Guzek - 6
 
RECORDS
No. 4 Maryville: 6-1
No. 5 Tampa: 6-1
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints remain in Florida for yet another ranked match up, this time at No. 2 Florida Southern Sunday, March 22.