MELBOURNE, Fla. –  Following a pair of wins in Sunshine State Conference play, the Florida Tech women's lacrosse team faced defending national champion Tampa for the second time this season on Saturday night at Rick Stottler Field. The Panthers improved on their play from the matchup on March 7 and remained competitive throughout the 60 minutes but ultimately, the No. 2 Spartans proved too much, dealing Tech a 13-9 defeat.

Senior Night festivities were held prior to the game as the program honored Cailey Canessa, Caroline Finn, Annabel Frey, Charlotte Hardie, Kellen Lucchesi, Carly Niro, Gabrielle Skowronski, Mackenzie Smith and Ashley Walter for their contributions.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: No. 20 Florida Tech 9, No. 2 Tampa 13
Records: No. 20 Florida Tech (6-8, 2-2 SSC) | No. 2 Tampa (12-1, 3-1 SSC)
Locations: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER: 

• It took 6:38 for the ice to be broken, which the Spartans did through Mary Kate Person.
• Tampa needed only 51 seconds for their second goal, which they got through Peyton Howell.
• The Panthers got their breakthrough at 2:06 through Gillian Craig's 40^th goal of the season coming through the free position.
• Isabel McGarvey gave Tampa a boost at the end of the quarter, scoring with 33 seconds remaining.

 
SECOND QUARTER: 

• Sophia Scichilone brought the Crimson and Gray within one at the 12:34 mark, cashing in on a behind the net feed from Sofie Bender.
• Tech drew level at 10:50 thanks to Craig scoring from an incredibly tight angle.
• Tampa responded with two goals in a matter of 27 seconds.
• Howell earned her second at 8:40 before Audrey Wisdom joined the act at 8:13.
• Scichilone tallied her second at 6:23, converting a feed from Carly Niro that capped a quick counterattack.
• The Spartans gave themselves a cushion with 1:35 left in the half as Maddie Szyluk converted shortly after Tampa was awarded a free position attempt.
• Tampa took further air out of Florida Tech's balloon just before the break as they capitalized on a Panther turnover with Howell firing home with four seconds left on the clock.

 
THIRD QUARTER: 

• Caroline Finn gave the Crimson and Gray life early in the second half, taking only 87 seconds to cut the deficit to 7-5.
• Nearly three minutes later, another Florida Tech turnover led to a Spartan goal as Howell scored her fourth of the night.
• Craig completed her hat trick at 7:55, converting from the free position for a second time.
• Tampa would match that with two in 60 seconds, both from Howell.
• The first of the pair came at 6:03 with a drive from the right side and then a minute later, her effort through traffic made it 10-6.
• Bender provided a response for Tech at 2:27, finishing Scichilone's helper from behind the net.
• Howell scored her seventh and final goal of the night, driving through multiple defenders to increase Tampa's advantage to 11-7 heading to the final quarter.

 
FOURTH QUARTER: 

• Grace Lichtenberger gave the Spartans a five-goal advantage 47 seconds into the final period, doing so from the free position.
• Mekelsey Montgomery handed Tampa their largest lead of the night at 12:11.
• Florida Tech got one back at 9:35 through Caroline Finn's great goal from a tough angle.
• Niro capped the scoring with 49 seconds remaining with a long-winding effort that took from her right to left before beating the goalie. 

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS: 

• Gillian Craig once again led Florida Tech with her ninth hat trick of the season.
• Sophia Scichilone provided two goals and an assist to top the 60-point mark for the season.
• Caroline Finn scored twice on her Senior Night.
• Carly Niro added a goal and an assist.
• Clare McGuire contributed three draw controls and two caused turnovers.
• Charlotte Hardie pitched in with three draw controls, two ground balls and a caused turnover.
• Phoebe Hurt, Mackenzie Smith, Bryce Forrest, Ella Brophy and Julie Ondria each contributed a caused turnover.
• Bridget Robinson recorded a season-high 16 saves in 57:03 of action.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech won the ground ball battle (9-7).
• Tampa out shot Tech 36-27 (29-19 on goal), won the draw control battle 17-9 and turnover battle 13-17.
• Both teams caused eight turnovers.
• The Panthers were 19-of-25 on clears, while the Spartans were 17-of-19.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech moves to 5-7 all-time against Tampa, including 1-5 at home.
• Gillian Craig became the first Panther to score 40 goals in a season since Kayla Minton in 2022 and now has the highest-scoring season since Sam Schiano tallied 44 in 2019.
• Carly Niro's assist was the 43^rd of her career, moving her past Alexis Townsend (2017-2021) for fifth in program history.

UP NEXT: The Panthers go back on the road next Wednesday, April 9 as they head to Boca Raton for another top-five Sunshine State Conference matchup at No. 3 Lynn. The opening draw is scheduled for 4 P.M.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech women's lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.