SSC Championship: #4 Mocs Host #5 Spartans Sunday at Noon

The fourth-ranked and top-seeded Florida Southern women's lacrosse team is set to host the fifth-ranked and second-seeded Tampa Spartans at noon Sunday, April 28. Action from Berend Field will be broadcast live on the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network at www.sunshinestateconference.tv
 
Earlier this season, Florida Southern topped Tampa 11-10 in regulation, where the Mocs improved to 13-4 all-time against the Spartans, with an 8-1 record in Lakeland.
 
Both teams advanced to the Sunshine State Conference Championship game for the fourth consecutive year where the Moccasins defeated the Fighting Knights 18-11 while the Spartans topped the Lions 17-12.
 
Thursday Semifinal Results:
#4 Mocs Top #12 Fighting Knights, 18-11
After a one-goal first half, No. 4 Florida Southern (15-3) pulled away from No. 12 Lynn 18-11 after a dominating 6-1 fourth quarter. The Moccasins saw Madison Tare and Jackie Stoller battle for the top spot on the team where Tare finished first in points with eight on five goals and three assists.
 
Stoller was second in points with seven after scoring a game-high six goals and dishing out one assist. McKenzie Gaghan tallied seven saves for her 14^th win of the season.
 
#5 Spartans Defeat #13 Lions, 17-12
No. 5 Tampa (14-3) defeated No. 13 Saint Leo 17-12. The Spartans used a quick start and a hot first half to claim a 13-6 lead at the break before scoring two goals in each of the final two quarters. The Lions battled with four in the third and two in the fourth but were unable to overcome the deficit.
 
Sophi Wrisk paced the Spartans with five goals while Gracie Colombo registered four. Peyton Howell joined in the hattrick's of the game with three goals herself.

Tournament History:
The fourth straight SSC championship game will be the Florida Southern Moccasins and the Tampa Spartans. The Mocs have now appeared in all eight Sunshine State Conference Championship games with four tournament titles and three runners-up. The Spartans have won two of their three tournament titles including the 2023 title 17-16.

In tournament play, Florida Southern edges Tampa 3-2 in head-to-head meetings with the last three meetings in the title game. The Mocs previously bested the Spartans in the semifinals in 2016 and 2017.