AUBURNDALE, Fla. — #2/#2 Florida Southern women's lacrosse (18-1), the No. 1 seed in the South Region, edged #5/#6 Tampa (13-6) with a 10-9 overtime thriller on Saturday at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
Kolby Cohen was the overtime hero, netting the golden goal to lift the Mocs to their 10-9 victory.
Grace Curtin led the scoring with three goals on five shots, all of which were on target.
Jenna Vetter contributed with two goals, including one player-up, while taking nine shots and placing six on goal.
Danielle Mojsej added to the offense with one goal and two assists, enhancing the team's attack.
Audrey Cannelli was active defensively, causing three turnovers to disrupt the opponent's play.
The first quarter began with Tampa's offensive pressure, resulting in Maddie Szyluk scoring the initial goal at 10:52, assisted by Jenna Myhal. Florida Southern's attempts to respond were thwarted by the Spartans' goalie, Savvy Barbosa, who made several key saves. Peyton Howell capitalized on a strong assist from Mary Kate Person to extend Tampa's lead to 2-0 at 6:57. Despite multiple shot attempts, Florida Southern was unable to find the back of the net. Tampa closed the quarter with a goal from Mary Kate Person, assisted by Maddie Szyluk, bringing the score to 3-0 as the quarter concluded.
Florida Southern dominated the second quarter with a strong offensive performance, netting four unanswered goals against Tampa.
Kassidy Miller opened the scoring just ten seconds into the quarter, bringing her season tally to nine goals. Curtin added to the momentum with two goals, her 19th and 20th of the season, at 11:21 and 5:36, respectively. Vetter also found the back of the net at 8:46, marking her 57th goal of the season. Tampa's defense was tested throughout, with goalkeeper Savvy Barbosa making several crucial saves to limit further scoring. Florida Southern's strong play resulted in a 4-0 quarter score, ending the half with a 4-3 lead.
Peyton Howell put Tampa on the board first in the third quarter, scoring a player-up goal at 12:17. Florida Southern quickly responded with
Riley Rivera's 17th goal of the season at 11:18, leveling the score. Mojsej then added another goal for Florida Southern, assisted by Rivera, pushing their lead to 6-4. However, Tampa's Mary Kate Person struck twice, including a player-up goal, equalizing the score at 6-6 by the end of the quarter. The quarter concluded with both teams tied, setting up a tense final stretch.
Grace Lichtenberger opened the fourth quarter with a player-up goal for Tampa at 14:41, assisted by Peyton Howell, bringing the score to 7-6 in their favor. Florida Southern responded with a player-up goal by Vetter at 13:59, assisted by
Louise Aloi, leveling the score at 7-7. Goals by Audrey Kahoun and Jenna Myhal gave the Spartans a two-goal advantage. However, the Mocs brought it within one at 9:12 with a behind-the-back goal on the doorstep from Curtin, assisted by Mojsej. In the final minutes, Miller was shoved into the goal circle and scored a player-up goal at 2:05, assisted by Rivera, knotting the score at nine apiece and eventually sending the game to OT.
In overtime, Florida Southern maintained defensive pressure, capitalizing on turnovers by Tampa's Isabel McGarvey and Alexis Abe. Despite a late shot attempt by
Louise Aloi that was saved by Tampa's Savvy Barbosa, Cohen secured the decisive moment for Florida Southern with the golden goal at 1:23, assisted by Mojsej, for the Mocs to walk it off 10-9.
Up next, Florida Southern will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinal next Saturday, where they host the winner of the No. 2 seed Flagler vs. No. 3 seed Saint Leo match up.
