Panthers Beat Spartans 20-10, Clinch Berth in SSC Tourney
By Florida Tech // April 12, 2015
The Panthers outshot Tampa 38-24
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech (7-6, 1-1 SSC) garnered a spot in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament when it powered through the University of Tampa (5-10, 0-3 SSC) on Saturday night at Pepin Stadium.
The Panthers used a dominant first half to cruise past the Spartans 20-10 for the program’s first conference victory.
“I am so proud of the way the girls came into the game tonight,” stated head coach Corinne Desrosiers.
“We knew what was on the line. We knew we were young but that we had some raw talent. If we stay disciplined and stick to our game plan, we can play a pretty nice game of lacrosse.”
“The team came into this game hungry and fired up for a chance to play in the first SSC playoffs,” said Desrosiers.
Freshman Sara Grenier paced FIT with six goals and two assists, while classmate Caroline Dunleavy finished with a season-high seven points on three goals and four assists.
Sophomore Heather Roache tallied four goals and three other Panthers scored two goals each in the win. Freshman Mary Gormley and sophomore Allie Modica won a combined 11 draw controls.
Amanda Voges scored quickly, giving Tampa a 1-0 just 26 seconds into the game.
FIT responded with 10 unanswered goals, including three scores by Roache, over the next 18 minutes. Voges stopped the Panthers’ run with two straight tallies, decreasing the Spartans’ deficit to 10-3 heading into halftime.
Tampa opened the second half with two quick goals by Mackenzie Perna and Voges to cut FIT’s lead to 10-5. The Panthers answered with three consecutive goals, by Gormley, Dunleavy and freshman Heather Molander, to increase their lead to eight.
The Spartans brought the advantage back down 13-7 with goals by Amanda Rom and Shannon Sweeney.
Over the final 20 minutes, Florida Tech outscored Tampa 7-3, including four goals by Sara Grenier, to walk away with its third road win of the season.
The Panthers outshot (38-24) and snagged more ground balls (19-14) than the Spartans. Freshman Stephanie Stuart was again impressive in goal, making nine saves in the win over Tampa.
The win over the Spartans marks the fourth time all season that the Panthers scored 20 goals in a game.
“I look at the progress we have made since that first fall practice,” said Desrosiers.
“They have just come so far and have worked so hard for this. This is the teams win tonight. Coach Lindsey and myself just got the privilege to watch history in the making tonight.”
The Panthers return home for a SSC matchup with Florida Southern on Saturday April 18 at Palm Bay High School’s Pirate Stadium.
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