Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/27/25 – From Press Release
Philly women played key roles as the University of Tampa women’s lacrosse team captured its second consecutive NCAA Division II national championship with a 15–9 victory over Adelphi University on Saturday at Kerr Stadium in Salem. Head coach Kelly Gallagher’s Spartans finished the 2025 season with a 21–1 record and ended the year on an 11-game winning streak.
Tampa jumped out to a dominant 9–2 lead in the first quarter, scoring on 9-of-11 shots. Sophi Wrisk opened the scoring just 1:36 into the game on an assist from Kaylee VanVladricken (Bayard Rustin). Less than a minute later, Maddie Szyluk scored on a nearly identical setup from VanVladricken to make it 2–0.
Peyton Howell then netted two goals in a span of three minutes, while Christina Sato added one in between with a strong solo effort. Wrisk scored again at 8:59, assisted by Isabel McGarvey (Haverford High), and Howell completed her first-quarter hat trick at 2:29 with VanVladricken picking up her third assist. Mary Kate Person added two first-quarter goals, including a free-position score on a man-up opportunity at 7:46.
The Spartans continued their scoring pace in the second quarter. Szyluk added her second goal at 6:22 on a quick transition play. Howell tallied her fourth goal of the game on a power play just 32 seconds later, again assisted by VanVladricken. By halftime, Tampa led 11–3 and had all the momentum.
Meanwhile, the Tampa defense – led by seniors Grace Gilmore (Cherokee-NJ, 2GB, 1CT) and Katie DeShan (Radnor) – helped shut down Adelphi’s attack.
In the second half, Tampa’s depth continued to shine. Josie Bullock scored her only goal at 4:33 of the third quarter after Tampa cleared the ball from their defensive end. Sarah Engle scored twice, once late in the third and again early in the fourth on a power-play opportunity, assisted by Kailen Mant. Grace Lichtenberger rounded out the scoring at 9:11 of the fourth quarter on a setup from Person.
Goalkeeper Savvy Barbosa anchored the back line with 15 saves on 24 shots. She made key stops throughout the second half to preserve Tampa’s lead, including four saves in the final quarter. Tampa finished with a 34–30 advantage in shots and a 15–12 edge in draw controls. The Spartans were 3-for-3 on power-play chances and successfully completed 19 of 22 clears.
Also contributing to the season for Tampa were reserve goalie Paige Borkowski (Twin Valley) and freshman midfielder Jill Cobaugh (Pope John Paul II).
