A strong first quarter from the #5 University of Tampa led them past the Lee University lacrosse team 22-11 on Monday afternoon. The Lady Flames committed nine turnovers in the first period which allowed Tampa to lead it 10-1 after the first ten minutes. With the loss, Lee fell to 6-3 on the season with all three losses coming to teams in the top 20.
The Spartans came out of the gate quickly scoring four goals in the first four minutes. They ran up the lead to 8-0 before Brittney White scored on the first shot of the game for the Lady Flames.
Tampa added two more goals to lead 10-1.
Kat Sweeney scored the first goal of the second quarter. White followed that up with a free position shot. Then Sweeney scored again a man down and forced a timeout from Tampa. The Spartans then responded with five straight goals to go to the halftime break up 16-4.
The third quarter was all Lee as they outscored Tampa 5-1. Callie Curtis scored a goal to get the period started. That was followed by another two goals from White and one from Sweeney. Maggie Luzier scored the final goal of the period and Lee trailed 17-9 after the third.
Tampa responded in the fourth scoring five goals to just two for Lee. Curtis and White scored the only goals of the period as Lee fell 22-11.
Kaleigh Bernard made 15 saves in the contest which was a career high for her. Her save percentage was .405. Tampa out shot Lee 42-23 including 37-16 shots on goal. The Spartans also dominated the draw controls grabbing 24 to just 13 for the Lady Flames.
White had five goals while Sweeney had three. Lee committed nine turnovers in the first quarter and then only had seven the rest of the game.
The Lady Flames will continue their Florida trip with a match against #7 Florida Southern College on Thursday, March 14 in Lakeland, Fla.